You have no items in your shopping cart.
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have studied linguistic landscape in some major cities in Nigeria but no study has been carried out on the Effurun city. The study is focused on Effurun linguistic landscape and it investigates its role in the maintenance of the indigenous language of Effurun - Urhobo. Data were collected within the Effurun city by taking pictures of sign posts, billboards, posters, banners, etc. These data were analysed using the ethnolinguistic vitality theoretical framework. Interviews were also carried out to find out individuals' opinions on the language choice of public settings in the locality. The study observed the prominent use of English which is the official language of the city in their linguistic landscape. Also, the indigenous language of the people which is Urhobo is also observed though in a lesser degree and it is used in combination with English. Arabic was also spotted among the Islamic community. It was discovered that the linguistic landscape of Effurun does not properly reflect the indigenous language of the people due to the use of the official language English and a low level of literacy in the Urhobo language. The study therefore encourages more use of Urhobo in the public space in order to improve the linguistic vitality of the language through visibility. Government should enforce the language policy that instructs children to be taught in their indigenous languages in school as a medium of instruction. This would increase literacy in the language and promote usage in the public domain.
