LANGUAGE AS A POTENT TOOL FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF NIGERIA’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

Ijah Gideon Akase

Department of Languages and Linguistics

Nasarawa State University Keffi

Email: akaseijah28@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Language, considered in the dynamic function of its diverse roles in human existence, can also be viewed as a catalyst for the growth of human society. Where most especially people with different linguistic background proclaim towards common goals to form bonds as a nation, the growth of such nation will inextricably be predicated on the utilization of the different languages in the development plans known as nation building. Nation building in the wider sense of its definition, goes beyond mere physical structures, and as an aggregate of human society, the optimum justifiable potency of indigenous languages in this Endeavour cannot be overemphasized. Thus, as a mark of its wide role in society, this paper seeks to consider the various indigenous languages towards achieving national development.