Language, Literature and Culture in a Multilingual Society: A Festschrift for Abubakar Rasheed

1129 Pages·2016·28.078 MB·

by  Ozo-mekuri, Ndimele Mustapha Ahmad, Hafizu Miko Yakasai

Language, Literature & Culture
A Partial List of Books in Language & Linguistics Published by M & J Grand Orbit
Communications Ltd

1. Four Decades in the Study of Languages & Linguistics in Nigeria
2. In the Linguistic Paradise
3. Languages & Culture in Nigeria
4. Trends in the Study of Language & Linguistics in Nigeria
5. Convergence: English and Nigeria Languages
6. Language, Literature and Culture in Nigeria
7. Critical Issues in the Study of Linguistics, Languages & Literatures in Nigeria
8. Language Policy, Planning & Management in Nigeria
9. Issues in Contemporary African Linguistics
10. Language Endangerment: Globalisation & the Fate of Minority Languages
in Nigeria
11. Globalization & the Study of Languages in Africa
12. Numeral Systems of Nigerian Languages
13. The Syntax of Igbo Causatives: A Minimalist Account
14. Eleme Phonology
15. Basic Linguistics: For Nigerian Language Teachers
16. English Studies and National Development
17. Language, Literature & Literacy in a Developing Nation
18. Language & Economic Reforms in Nigeria
19. The Syntax & Semantics of Yorùbá Nominal Expressions
20. Functional Categories in Igbo
21. Affixation and Auxiliaries in Igbo
22. A Grammar of Contemporary Igbo
23. Empowering Small Nigerian Languages
24. Endangered Languages in Nigeria
25. A Concise Grammar & Lexicon of Echie
26. Bette Ethnography: Theory and Practice
27. Topical Issues in Sociolinguistics: The Nigerian Perspective
28. Studies in Nigerian Linguistics
29. Language, Literature & Communication in Nigeria
30. Language, Literature & Culture in a Multilingual Society
Language, Literature & Culture in a
Multilingual Society

Ozo-mekuri Ndimele
Mustapha Ahmad
Hafizu Miko Yakasai (eds.)

M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd
Port Harcourt
M & J Grand Orbit Publications
No. 10 Nchia Street, Delta Park
Box 237 Uniport P.O.
University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Copyright © 2016 M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd
First issued in 2014
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
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articles and reviews.

ISBN: 978-978-54311-1-7

Published by

The Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN)

In Collaboration with

M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria

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Dedication

To

Professor Abubakar Rasheed
Preface

T
he papers here were selected from presentations made at the 24th
Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN)
which held at Bayero University Kano. The book contains seventy-
seven (77) papers addressing various issues in linguistics, literature and
cultures in Nigeria. The majority of the papers selected and published in this
volume address the main theme of this project, i.e. “Language, Literature
and Culture in a Multilingual Society”. There are, however, a number of
other papers addressing various aspects of linguistics, literature and cultures
which are included to cater for other interests beyond the main focus. Our
reason for doing this is to enable the reader to have an idea of the current
state of research in linguistics, languages and literature in Nigeria.
The book is organized into four sections, as follows: Section One –
Language and Society; Section Two – Applied Linguistics; Section Three –
Literature, Culture, Stylistics and Gender Studies and Section Four – Formal
Linguistics.
The book contains the much that one needs to know about the direction
of linguistic research in Nigeria. It is generously recommended as a
reference material for students and researchers in the subject-matters of
linguistics, language and literature in Nigeria and much more.
We have received support from a number of individuals and institutions
in accomplishing the tasks which gave birth to this book. Our immense
gratitude goes to Professor Abubakar Rasheed (Vice-Chancellor of Bayero
University Kano) and members of the Local Organizing Committee for the
24th Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (CLAN)
which held at Bayero University Kano and at Ni’ima Hotel in Kano. This
made the 24th CLAN a very special one. We are, indeed, grateful to the
Management of Bayero University Kano for the material donations towards
hosting the 24th CLAN. Let us also acknowledge the efforts and
contributions of Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose and Professor Emeritus
Ayo Banjo for making the 24th CLAN a colourful one.
Our gratitude goes to the keynote speaker, Professor Munzali Jibril
(President of the Nigeria Academy of Letters), and also to the lead paper
presenters: distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Newman of Indiana
vii

University, USA; Professor Russell Schuh of the UCLA, USA; Professor
Nina Pawlak of the University of Warsaw, Poland; Professor Sergio Baldi of
the Oriental University of Naples, Italy; Professor Kola Owolabi of the
University of Ibadan; Professor Abdulhamid Abubakar and Professor
Muhammad Munkaila both of the University of Maiduguri. We also thank
our hard-working immediate past President of LAN, Professor A.H. Amfani,
for guiding the LOC on the general organization of the 24th CLAN. The
current LAN President, Professor (Mrs.) Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, deserves
special acknowledgement for her encouragement to see that the editorial
team meets deadline. Mr. Salem Ejeba provided immense help in formatting
the manuscript when extra-hands to complete the assignment.

Professor Ozo-mekuri Ndimele
Founding Editor
E-mail: [email protected]

Table of Contents

Dedication v
Preface vii

Section One: Language & Society

1. The Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN) and the
Promotion of Language and Linguistics 1
Ayo Bamgbose

2. Using Africa’s Indigenous Languages as Tools for
Sustainable Development: A Pragmatic Approach 5
Kola Owolabi

3. Variations in Transmission of Message of Proverb
between Hausa & Swahili Cultures 33
Xahiru Muhammad Argungu

4. The Mass Media as an Agent of Cultural Transmission and
Globalization: The Language Perspective 45
Sadiya Sani Daura

5. Towards Investigating Perceived Endangerment Status of
the Igala Language 63
Joseph Abuh

6. Body Language as Social Dialect in Hausa Culture 75
Aliyu Mu’azu

7. A Semantic Study of Obscenity and Verbal Abuses in Jukun 83
Butari Nahum Upah

8. Honorifics in Igala 93
Abdullahi Ahmad

9. Semantic Changes: An Annotative Exploration of
Select Hausa Political Coinages 101
Khalid Imam

10. A Sociolinguistic Appraisal of Arabic Usage in Teacher
Preparation in Nigeria 117
Abdul Kabeer Tihamiyu Otunuyi