Sociolinguistic-cum-pedagogic Implications of Anglicisation: Evidence from Igbo Toponyms

Abstract

Naturally, a group’s urge to protect all aspects of its language against negative sociolinguistic influences is a task carried out with all dedication because a group’s language identifies them, tells their story and showcases their cultural heritage. Presently, Igbo toponyms are seriously threatened by anglicisation. The paper’s main objectives are to highlight the various forms of anglicisation observed in Igbo toponyms, their negative influences on the Igbo language, and how to overcome this negative sociolinguistic phenomenon. The paper adopts a qualitative analysis approach; and observes that Igbo toponyms are actually anglicised, following the trend left by the British by adding ‘r’, ‘h’, ‘aw’, etc., with negative effects such as wrong spelling and meanings of Igbo toponyms, loss of history and cultural heritage of the Igbo etc. If this negative sociolinguistic phenomenon is left unchecked, potential loss of some letters of the Igbo alphabet and the Igbo language endangerment, are imminent.