LANGUAGE CONTACT, SHIFT AND LOSS: THE IMPACT OF INTERMARRIAGE ON THE ẸDO COMMUNITY.

ABSTRACT

This project provides a sociolinguistic account on language contact shift and loss: The impact of intermarriage on the Edo community. Language contact shift and loss have become significant issues in many communities around the world, particularly due to the increasing phenomenon of intermarriage. This study aims to explore the impact of intermarriage on the Edo community, a linguistic and cultural group indigenous to Nigeria. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and language assessments, this research investigates the extent to which intermarriage contributes to language contact shift and loss among the Edo people. The study hypothesizes that intermarriage with individuals from different linguistic backgrounds may lead to a decrease in the use and proficiency of the Edo language within intermarried families. Additionally, it is expected that intermarriage may result in a shift towards using the partner's language as the primary means of communication within the household, potentially leading to a decline in Edo language transmission to future generations. The research will be conducted in selected Edo communities, utilizing a sample of intermarried couples and their children. Surveys will be administered to gather demographic information and attitudes towards language use. Interviews will be conducted to explore the participants' experiences with language contact and their perceptions of language vitality within their families. Language assessments will be carried out to measure language proficiency among both parents and children. Language contact shift and loss can be seen as a threat to the Edo community. Intermarriage with individuals from other linguistic backgrounds can lead to a decrease in the use and transmission of the Edo language within the community. This can result in a loss of cultural identity and a weakening of the community's linguistic heritage. To address these threats, efforts can be made to promote the use and preservation of the Edo language within the community. Language contact theory is a sociolinguistic framework that examines the interactions between different languages and their speakers in multilingual societies. It seeks to understand how languages influence each other and how they may change or be lost over time due to contact with other languages. The findings of this study will contribute to the existing literature on language contact shift and loss by providing insights into the specific dynamics within the Edo community. The results will inform policymakers, educators, and community leaders about the potential consequences of intermarriage on language maintenance efforts. This research ultimately aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and provide recommendations for promoting the continued vitality of the Edo language within intermarried families.