Abstract
It is an acknowledged fact that language plays pivotal roles in issues relating to national development. However,in most developing bilingual/multilingual societies, Nigeria inclusive, despite the claim to the contrary, peoplestill cling to primordial sentiment over and above nationalistic ethos. This study seeks to examine languageattitude among the political class in Nigeria, and these (attitudes) affect the country’s attempt towards nationalintegration and development. The thrust of the paper is that contrary to the widely-held view that economy andtechnology are the major (or main) indices of development, language issues are also of paramount importance innational growth and development. It recommends a much more proactive measure in tackling language issues inour national discourse.
Highlights
IntroductionLanguages play vital roles in politics, economy, information, culture and education
All over the world, languages play vital roles in politics, economy, information, culture and education
In most developing bilingual/multilingual societies, Nigeria inclusive, despite the claim to the contrary, people still cling to primordial sentiment over and above nationalistic ethos
Summary
Languages play vital roles in politics, economy, information, culture and education. Dunmoye (1991) contends that it is misleading to equate “nation with state” or think that a nation is synonymous with a “country” In his analysis, a nation consists of a people, culturally distinct who share a common language, common customs and traditions, who occupy a fixed territory, entertain a sense of belonging, and share the willingness and hope of living together in future”. A nation consists of a people, culturally distinct who share a common language, common customs and traditions, who occupy a fixed territory, entertain a sense of belonging, and share the willingness and hope of living together in future” He defines a “state” as a political community, an organization which exercises coercive authority over all inhabitants of a territory from this analytical view point, one can rightly conclude that, Nigeria as it were is a multinational state
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