Project Abstract

Abstract
Language and national development are intricately linked in a multilingual society, presenting both challenges and impediments that need to be addressed for sustainable progress. This research explores the complexities surrounding language diversity and its impact on the development of a nation, focusing on the challenges and impediments that arise in such a context. One of the primary challenges in a multilingual society is the issue of communication. With multiple languages spoken within a nation, effective communication across different linguistic groups can be hindered. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and ultimately, conflicts that impede national development. Furthermore, the presence of multiple languages can also create barriers to access important information, services, and opportunities, thereby limiting the overall development potential of the society. Another significant challenge is the issue of language policy and planning. In many multilingual societies, the lack of clear language policies and effective planning can exacerbate existing linguistic divides and inequalities. Without proper language planning, certain languages may be marginalized or neglected, leading to feelings of exclusion and alienation among linguistic minorities. This can have far-reaching implications for national unity and development, as language is closely tied to identity and cultural heritage. Moreover, the diversity of languages in a society can also pose challenges in the education system. Multilingual societies often struggle to develop effective language-in-education policies that cater to the needs of all linguistic groups. This can result in disparities in educational outcomes, with some groups having better access to quality education than others. Such disparities can perpetuate existing social inequalities and hinder overall national development efforts. In addition to these challenges, there are also impediments to national development that arise from the complex linguistic landscape of a multilingual society. These impediments include difficulties in creating a unified national identity, challenges in governance and administration, and obstacles to economic development and international competitiveness. Addressing these impediments requires a comprehensive understanding of the role of language in shaping national development and a commitment to promoting linguistic diversity as a valuable asset rather than a hindrance. In conclusion, the challenges and impediments related to language and national development in a multilingual society are significant and multifaceted. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach that considers the complexities of language diversity and seeks to leverage it as a source of strength rather than a barrier to progress. By recognizing the importance of language in national development and implementing inclusive language policies, societies can foster unity, equity, and sustainable development for all.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.0       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Human Beings are social animals and language is an instrument of the society which is acculturated into a given society. Through the instrumentality of language, man identifies and make finding about his environment.

Thus, language, in the hand of man preserves, conserves, transmits and appropriates functions and does so across space and time, thereby enabling him to overcome those physical limitations to human endeavours and achievements.

Armed with his linguistic tool, man appropriates all that others before him have acquired, persuades and convince others to his line of reasoning and action, deceives and dominates others, controls his entire environment and exploits whatever is found therein, and also achieves as much as it is within his capacity.

The problems of man’s development and growth become increasingly complex and intricate when the individual is not monolingual and mono-cultural. The failure of any development programme becomes greater and more dismal when the individual has got to operate within a multilingual and multi-cultural community. It is these problems which Nigeria encounters as a result of her multilingual and multi-cultural composition that this research intends to highlight. At the end of the exercise solutions will be proffered in order to help solve the challenges we have as country.

1.1       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Inspite of all efforts to unite and develop society such as Nigeria politically, economically and socially, the state remains an under developed state. This is due to her multilingual and multicultural nature. Language pluralism has generated a lot of problems in the state. Prominent among them include;

The communication gap between the various people, each sees his own language as important, thus creating an impediment to commerce and industry. A warped sense of nationhood whereby genuine unity becomes difficult due to suspicion as various ethnic groups pursue selfish and sectional interests. Picking a national language that is acceptable to the people therefore, becomes difficult.

1.2       HYPOTHESIS

The hypotheses of study are

(a)    Language is a hindrance to national unity

(b)       Language is an instrument for National development

(c)       How is language diversity a deciding factor toward national development?

1.3       AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of the research is to discover the effect of linguistic plurality in a given multi-ethnic society like Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State where I live and the University of Abuja where I school. It  also intends to prove the success or failure of any society. And if language diversity has helped in national growth and development, such as economic, social, political, religious growth, and educational advancement of mankind. The study also hopes to attempt in resolving the issue of “lingua Franca”

1.4       SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the research is on the use of language to achieve national development especially in a multilingual environment which is delimited to the sociolinguistics of language and society.

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study is that it will showcase how to promote ethnic harmony among all linguistically and ethnically diverse communities in Nigeria. The study is also significant because it will contribute to many of the existing works in this regard especially for both academic and social utilization respectively. It is also significant because it will provide the picture of the issue in question from the perspective of a university community.

1.6       METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The methodology of the research is empirical in nature, in which the researcher intends to administer questionnaire as well as an observation within the chosen area of the study being University of Abuja, FCT

The respondents to be administered with the questionnaire are selected through single random selection method of one out of every ten respondents in the delimited areas of the research.