ERIC Number: EJ1385996
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Apr
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1533-242X
Available Date: N/A
Finding Space in Ibadan: The Linguistic Dilemma of Igbo Children in the City
Igboanusi, Herbert; Bankale, Oyetayo
Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal, v23 n1 p145-156 Apr 2023
Although the Igbo are one of the most widely travelled people in Nigeria, little is known about the sociolinguistic impact of migration (international or internal) on their language. Based on interview data collected from 24 Igbo youth in Ibadan, this study explores the space available for young Igbo migrants and the role of language in accessing the space. The Igbo youth learn Yoruba to enable them find space in Ibadan and its environs. The complexities of locating space compel some of them to sometimes disguise as Yoruba in order to gain acceptance and favourable perception. However, the need to maintain their Igbo identity and find space in Igboland whenever possible propels them to also learn to speak Igbo. As long as discriminatory citizenship is practised in the country, language and ethnicity will remain crucial in the search for space by settlers.
Descriptors: African Languages, Self Concept, Sociolinguistics, Diachronic Linguistics, Ethnic Groups, Migrants, Language Role, Social Discrimination, Language Usage, Language Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Metropolitan Areas, Adolescents, Young Adults, Second Language Learning, Barriers, Elementary Secondary Education, Second Language Instruction, Indigenous Populations, Safety, Social Isolation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Nigeria
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A