Resuscitation and Sustainability of Endangered Minor Nigerian Languages through Multimodality

Abstract— Resuscitation and sustainability of endangered minor Nigerian Languages are highly imperative for cultural, religious, social, economic, political and educational purposes. They preserve the cultural identities and heritages of ethnic groups; assist in intergenerational communications and allow inclusivity of social lifestyles and equities. Against this backdrop, this study investigates endangered minor Nigerian languages with a view to identifying their statuses, examining the attitudes of the users with a view to identifying whether or not they have positive or negative influences on the languages; and suggesting how they can be revitalised and sustained through multimodality. Data were randomly obtained from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria; in the North-central (Koro and Igede), in the North-East (Bade and Tera) in the North-West, (Kamuku and Duwai) in the South-East (Ikkwere and Ohuhu Igbo), in the South-South (Ibibio and Ogoni) and in the South-West (Akoko and Egun), (a total of twelve Nigerian languages) were selected for this study. The mixed-methods research design and Cultural Sustainability Theory were also adopted. One of the major findings is that consistent use of minor languages in cultural festivals can rejuvenate and sustain minor languages in Nigeria. The study, therefore, recommends that minor Nigerian languages should be revived and sustained through multiple modes such as the use of social media and technology; and native speakers’ readiness to interact and communicate using these languages in private and public spaces freely.