THE ENDANGERMENT OF THE BURA LANGUAGE: A CASE STUDY OF BIU LGA IN BORNO STATE

THE ENDANGERMENT OF THE BURA LANGUAGE: A CASE STUDY OF BIU LGA IN BORNO STATE

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Language endangerment has become a pressing concern in many multilingual societies across the globe, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where numerous indigenous languages are at risk of extinction. Nigeria, as one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, faces this challenge acutely. With over 500 documented languages, many minority tongues are being sidelined due to factors such as globalization, internal migration, modernization, and the dominance of more widely spoken regional or national languages like Hausa, Yoruba, and English (Eberhard, Simons, & Fennig, 2021). Among these threatened languages is Bura, an indigenous Chadic language spoken primarily in Biu Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

The Bura language is an integral part of the cultural heritage and identity of the Bura people, one of the major ethnic groups in southern Borno. It serves not only as a medium of daily communication but also as a vehicle for transmitting traditional knowledge, values, religious beliefs, folklore, and communal history. However, recent linguistic observations and anecdotal reports suggest that the use of Bura is declining, particularly among the younger generation, who are increasingly adopting Hausa or English in both formal and informal settings (Yusuf, 2020).

The process of language endangerment typically begins with a reduction in the number of active speakers, especially among children. This often results in language shift—where families stop transmitting the native language to their children—and eventually leads to language loss (Fishman, 1991). In the context of Biu LGA, several socio-economic and institutional factors are likely contributing to the declining use of Bura. These include the dominance of Hausa in the regional media and market, the use of English in education, intermarriage with non-Bura speakers, rural–urban migration, and a general lack of institutional support for indigenous language preservation.

Understanding the patterns and causes of Bura language endangerment is not only crucial for documenting and revitalizing this linguistic heritage but also for informing policy interventions aimed at maintaining Nigeria’s linguistic diversity. This study, therefore, seeks to examine the current status of the Bura language in Biu LGA, the extent of its endangerment, the sociolinguistic factors responsible for its decline, and the perceptions of the local population regarding its future.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the significance of indigenous languages in shaping cultural identity and social cohesion, many of them are experiencing rapid decline in Nigeria, and Bura is no exception. While national attention has often focused on the preservation of more widely spoken indigenous languages, the plight of smaller language communities like the Bura has largely been neglected in academic and policy discourse. This marginalization has accelerated the risk of extinction for these languages.

In Biu LGA, informal observation and preliminary reports suggest that Bura is increasingly being relegated to domestic and ceremonial use, with limited representation in education, media, or administration. The youth population, in particular, appears to be shifting toward Hausa and English as their primary means of communication. Yet, there is a dearth of empirical research quantifying this trend or explaining the underlying sociolinguistic dynamics. Most studies that touch on language endangerment in Nigeria fail to capture the local specificities that drive language shift in distinct communities.

This gap in research makes it difficult for stakeholders, including linguists, cultural groups, and policymakers, to devise appropriate interventions to arrest the decline of the Bura language. Without a comprehensive understanding of the extent of the threat and the community's perception of language loss, efforts at revitalization may be ineffective. Therefore, a focused, context-specific investigation into the endangerment of the Bura language is urgently needed.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To assess the current status of the Bura language in Biu Local Government Area.

To identify the key sociolinguistic and institutional factors contributing to the endangerment of the Bura language.

To evaluate the attitudes of the Bura-speaking community towards the preservation and revitalization of their language.

1.4 Research Questions

What is the current level of usage and transmission of the Bura language in Biu LGA?

What factors are contributing to the declining use of the Bura language among the local population?

How do members of the Bura community perceive the future of their language?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between language use in the home and the intergenerational transmission of the Bura language.

H₀₂: Community attitudes toward the Bura language do not significantly affect its endangerment status.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study contributes to the growing body of research on language endangerment and revitalization, with a specific focus on the Bura language of Biu LGA. By providing empirical data on language use, transmission patterns, and community attitudes, the research offers a foundation for developing effective strategies to preserve and promote the Bura language. The findings will be useful to linguists, cultural preservationists, education planners, and policymakers interested in maintaining Nigeria’s linguistic diversity. Furthermore, the study can serve as a model for assessing other endangered languages in the region.

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is confined to Biu LGA in southern Borno State, where the Bura ethnic group is predominantly found. It focuses on language use among three demographic groups: youths (15–30 years), adults (31–60 years), and elders (60+ years). The study does not extend to Bura-speaking populations in other LGAs or states. Limitations may arise from language bias in responses, lack of literacy among older respondents, and potential difficulties in quantifying language use.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Language Endangerment: The process through which a language is at risk of falling out of use and eventually becoming extinct.

Bura Language: A Chadic language spoken by the Bura ethnic group, primarily in southern Borno State.

Language Shift: The abandonment of a native language in favor of another, typically more dominant, language.

Sociolinguistic Factors: Social influences that affect language usage, such as education, media, migration, and social interaction.

1.9 Structure of the Study

This research is structured into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the study. Chapter Two provides a review of literature and the theoretical framework. Chapter Three outlines the methodology adopted. Chapter Four presents the data analysis and interpretation of results. Chapter Five summarizes the findings, concludes the study, and offers recommendations.

References

Eberhard, D. M., Simons, G. F., & Fennig, C. D. (Eds.). (2021). Ethnologue: Languages of the world (24th ed.). SIL International.

Fishman, J. A. (1991). Reversing language shift: Theoretical and empirical foundations of assistance to threatened languages. Multilingual Matters.

Yusuf, A. B. (2020). Language shift and maintenance in Borno State: A study of the Bura-speaking community. Journal of African Linguistic Heritage, 9(1), 63–79.