Language And Diversity | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Language And Diversity

Although language fosters communication, the nature of its diversity also creates boundaries.

24
Language And Diversity
Pexels

Language creates boundaries. It is certain that communication is aided in many ways by the existence of languages. But perhaps this usefulness of language would be better appreciated if there weren’t so many different languages in the world today. This diversity of languages results in the formation of boundaries that limit communication. In other words, language contradicts itself. While serving to facilitate communication, language also hinders communication.

Diversity of languages forces us, sometimes deliberately and other times unintentionally, to place some languages above others in terms of overall recognition and importance. For example, in a country like Nigeria, where approximately over 521 languages are spoken by the indigenous people, only three of those languages are considered salient enough to serve as the country’s major languages. The three major languages spoken in Nigeria include Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Reasons given for the emphasis on these three languages as the major languages spoken in Nigeria include that majority of the Nigerian people speak at least one of these three languages. In as much as this seems like a well-thought out reasoning behind the classification of languages in Nigeria into the three main languages and then the other 500+ languages, the negative effects that this classification has had on overall perception, acknowledgement and respect for the other languages cannot be ignored.

It is generally assumed that everyone from the eastern part of Nigeria speaks Igbo, people from the west speak Yoruba and those from the northern part of the country speak Hausa. These assumptions are problematic in a variety of ways. While it may be true for the most part that eastern Nigeria is dominantly inhabited by people who speak Igbo, it is extremely naïve to project this same assumption on to the northern part of the country. Northern Nigeria, on a closer look, is home to a vast majority of the total number of languages spoken within Nigeria. So it is unreasonable to continue to perpetuate the idea that Hausa is the indigenous language of almost everyone from northern Nigeria. Such assumptions are also problematic because Nigeria cannot simply be divided into only three parts – eastern, western and northern. What about southern Nigeria? There are even further divisions which include south-south, south-east, south-west, north-central and so on, all of which both include and exclude some parts that would normally fall under the narrow classification of northern, eastern and western Nigeria. Taking all of these geographical parts of Nigeria into consideration, the assumption that the three major languages dominate most of Nigeria, and are therefore superior, causes alienation of some parts of the country, like the south-south, where none of the three languages are necessarily dominant.

Returning to the general concept of language as a creator of boundaries, the idea that one language is more acceptable than another simply because it is spoken by more people is essentially what drives the creation of boundaries in communication. The stifling of minority languages through increasing encouragement and acknowledgement of the select few that are deemed worthy of national and global recognition is really sending a wrong message to upcoming generations. These days, children are beginning to aspire to speak a language because of its popularity rather than their own individual-driven identification with the language. The minority languages in places like Nigeria, are gradually becoming extinct because an increasing number of people are adopting languages that have been characterized as major languages. Consequently, those who still hold on to minority languages that they consider an integral part of their identities become further removed from the rest of the world simply because they cannot speak or understand the major languages.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

194939
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

17689
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460023
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27845
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments