Language And Planning National Integration: The Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

In multilingual settings, language which can be used as an effective instrument for national development and the promotion of national consciousness and unity can also be used as a weapon for marginalization, separation and exclusion. The latter trend can distabilize the nation as it is bound to set the different linguistic groups one against the other in their attempt to fashion out an identity for themselves and express their existence and relevance in the society. Examples of this can be found within and around Nigeria, where language has been a decisive factor in group integration or disintegration. This paper will provide some recommendations that will contribute towards solving the problems associated with the settings described above from the perspective of language as a socio-cultural tool expected to favour integration.

Key Words: multilingual settings, language, national integration

Global Journal of Humanities Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 21-26