LANGUAGE SHIFT: URHOBO AS A CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT

The study of language shift continues to be valuable source of theoretical and empirical evidence for both general linguistic theory and acquisition theory. This study investigates the language situation in Urhobo, the discussion features in this work corroborates this by providing new data and analysis in the socio-linguistic areas of language offered new insight to long due issue in language shift and its effect on the Urhobo language. Specific areas includes language contact as one of the major cause of language shift. The motivation for this work is the low degree in the use of indigenous language by native speakers and over time, there has been evidence in the gradual shift to pidgin in the attempt to meet the communication needs of speakers. A self administered questionnaire was used for the collection of data; a total of seventy questionnaire was administered ranging from the eye of 12-70 and above after analyzing our data, our findings revealed that Urhobo speakers have their mother tongue existing only in their repertoire not as their main languages of communication, the questionnaire were administered to Urhobo speakers who resides in Abraka. Abraka is a city located in Delta State southern Nigeria some of the language spoken in Abraka are Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, the major finding of this work was that a multilingual community that is rich in culture and tradition but it is gradually losing its linguistic footing due to the desire to communication demands of the environment.