Lingua Franca in West Africa? An evaluation of the sociohistorical and metalinguistic evidence

Creole Language Library - Gradual Creolization ◽

10.1075/cll.34.19hub ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 257-278

Author(s):

Magnus Huber

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Lingua Franca

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The ideological debate on Naijá and its use in education

English World-Wide ◽

10.1075/eww.00074.maz ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 299-323

Author(s):

Maria Mazzoli

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Native Speakers ◽

First Language ◽

Lingua Franca ◽

Ideological Debate ◽

Southern Nigeria ◽

Multiple Levels ◽

English Colonies

Abstract Naijá (also known as Nigerian Pidgin) is an extended pidgin with millions of speakers in Nigeria, and it is also a creole since some communities use it as a first language (Faraclas 2013; Mazzoli 2017). It is a common lingua franca in former English colonies in West Africa and has potential for transnational use. Notwithstanding its importance at multiple levels, Naijá is not mentioned in language-related policies in Nigeria, and its use in education is limited and stigmatized. This is due to aggressive ideologies that identify Naijá as an inferior language, especially with respect to English in Nigeria. In this paper, based on fieldwork data collected in southern Nigeria, I outline positive and negative ideologies related to Naijá, and argue that innovative ideologies have emerged among Naijá native speakers, which constitute a base for elaborating endoglossic policies and introducing Naijá into the classroom.

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