HERITAGE LANGUAGE USE AND ATTITUDE AMONG EFIK MIGRANTS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Maintenance of minority languages in an urban cosmopolis is a huge challenge given the multiplicity of ethnic groups some of which are numerically dominant. Several studies have been carried out on maintenance of native languages in urban centers, but none has been undertaken on Efik in Lagos, Nigeria. Consequently, this study examines the state of Efik language in Lagos where the Efik are a minority group with a view to estimating language use and attitude toward native and host community languages. Through purposive and snow-ball sampling, a total of 176 families were selected for the study, and the questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents. The result shows that parents who had high proficiency in Efik (Efik major) were more inclined to inter-generational transmission of Efik than parents with less proficiency in Efik (Efik minor). However, exogamous marriages played a significant role in the linguistic experience of Efik minor respondents, as ethnic disparities evinced the need for a neutral code (English) among spouses. In the case of attitude, there was symmetry in result as the two groups avowed positive inclination towards their native language and host community language. However, whereas the Efik minor reflected their attitude in practice with reference to Yoruba, the Efik Major did not. And, whereas the Efik Major reflected their attitude towards Efik in practice, the Efik Minor did not. The result provides the need for systematic and sustained effort towards reviving Efik, especially in multilingual spaces where its existence is precarious.