Language as a Carrier of Culture: An Ethnolinguistic Study of The Tangale People in Gombe State, Nigeria

Language is widely recognized as a primary vehicle for transmitting cultural knowledge, shaping social behavior and preserving communal identity. This paper examined the role of the Tangale language in carrying and sustaining the cultural heritage of the Tangale people of Gombe State, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 120 respondents, including elders, youths, and cultural practitioners, through structured questionnaires and oral interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ethnolinguistic content analysis of proverbs, folktales and idioms. The findings reveal that the Tangale language is widely used in storytelling, traditional ceremonies, proverbs, greetings and praise poetry, serving as a central medium for transmitting moral values, communal norms and indigenous knowledge. Chi-square analysis showed that knowledge of cultural expressions does not significantly vary across age groups, indicating effective intergenerational transmission. Despite the influence of modernization and dominant languages, the Tangale language remains resilient, with the majority of respondents affirming its importance in preserving cultural identity. The study concludes that the Tangale language is not merely a communication tool but a repository of cultural wisdom, social ethics and collective memory.