A Language and a People with the Obvious Threat of Extinction: Igala Language Education as Paradigm

Without language, a group of people, as one may argue for the entire humanity will be in total dumbness and darkness. It is a crucial and fundamental aspect of any given culture and to a very great extent, the vehicle that transports culture and the people from generation to generation. The vibrancy of language tells how vibrant the owners of that language are. On the other way round, a polluted language evidently leads the way to annihilation of the speakers of the language. Acknowledging the imperative of language to the development of the people and the nation, Ayakoroma (2012) admits correctly that language, as a component of culture, is a means of communication. It is a human and non-instructive way of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols. It is the central feature of the culture of any community and a reflection of the thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs and the experiences of a community of speakers. In other words, it is a human and non-instinctive medium of communication acquired through social interaction in early childhood. This means that language is not inborn and therefore must be learned. As a system of communication in speech and writing, the effective study and use of the language of a people is needed for their all-round development, be it social, cultural or economic.