Author(s): PRECIOUS OJOTULE ACHIA¹, GOJA EVELYN SEWUESE²

Paper ID: 04

Page: 

Published Date: 2-09-2024

Published In: Impact International Journals of English

-ISSN:

Volume/Issue: Volume 1 Issue 1 September-2024

Nigeria is a linguistically diverse country with over 500 ethnic groups and numerous languages. This diversity has created challenges in achieving national harmony, particularly regarding language-related issues. This paper explores the relationship between language and national harmony in Nigeria, focusing on language discrimination, poor language policy implementation, and inadequate language planning. Using a critical literature review approach, the paper identifies the factors contributing to language-related issues in Nigeria and suggests ways to achieve a linguistically harmonious Nigeria. The findings indicate that language discrimination and poor language policy implementation negatively affect national unity and social cohesion. Inadequate language planning has also led to some languages being marginalized while others dominate. To achieve linguistic harmony in Nigeria, effective language planning is necessary, including efforts to promote multilingualism and protect minority languages. The paper concludes that promoting linguistic diversity and reducing language discrimination will help achieve national harmony in Nigeria.

Keywords: Language, National Harmony, Linguistic Diversity