ENGLISH LANGUAGE IMPERIALISM AND SUPERIMPOSITION OVER NIGERIA INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

Abstract

This paper examines English language imperialism as a sub-type of ’linguicism’. In doing this, it looks at the role of the English, language in Nigeria in under vague terms such as second language, official language, lingua franca, unifying language, etc,. Its major concern , however, is how we have underdeveloped our indigenous languages, one of the numerous implications of the privileged position of English over indigenous Nigerian languages. In order to bring the dilemma into sharper focus, the paper presents a description of this complex linguistic situation in Nigeria and the place, role and function of the English language in a multiethnic society such as Nigeria. Finally, its suggests measures that should be adopted to ameliorate this situation