Kpagh, Michael Tsavbeeh
Department of French
College of Education, Katsina Ala, Benue State
Email: mikekpagh@gmail.com
Abstract
The importance of language to human beings cannot be overemphasised. This is because it is through the use of language that human beings communicate with each other. Also, language is the only distinguishing factor between human and other animals. Considering the crucial role that language plays in the society, many Nigerian languages today are adulterated and endangered. This article focuses on the Tiv language spoken predominately in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau and Cross River states. The motivation to undertake the study was based on the current threats of adulteration facing Tiv language; especially that most Tiv parents do not take pride in teaching their children the correct form of speaking the language in recent times. This seems to be the potential lot that may befall of a number of minority languages that are already adulterated in Nigeria. The methodology in the study is both primary and secondary sources. The article established that Tiv language faces serious adulteration if care is not taken to move it away from its potential endangerment, it may result to possible extinction. In view of this, the article advocates for ways of combating this ugly trend to include among others, the teaching of Tiv language at the primary and junior secondary schools level in all the Tiv speaking areas.
Keywords: Combating, adulteration, Nigerian languages, Tiv language
