An Assignment submitted in partial fulfilment of the course: Language and

Communication Skills
Topic: The Role of Language in Nation Building
Course Code: PRDE 5102
Submitted by: Bamisaye Oluwagbeminiyi
Lecturer: Dr. James Nma

Introduction
Language plays a vital role, in nation building and has a significant impact on the
development and sustainability of a nation. According to Okata (2016), language is a
vehicle that transports information, feelings, thoughts, emotions, ideas and
expressions from one entity to another for the purposes of communication. Also,
language is the vehicle through which people’s culture is transmitted. It is an index of
identity which serves as a repository of a people’s culture, industry and exploits. It is
language that differentiates the homo-sapiens from other animals. Language is a
medium of communication, mirrors one’s identity and is an integral part of culture.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a renowned author referred to language as the soul of culture
According to Solanke (2006),the most effective engine of a people’s culture is their
mother tongue (MT). Indigenous languages are treasures of culture and identity. In
other words, language is the indicator of history and self-identification.

Nwadike (2004) also posits that language is the key to the heart of the people. If we
lose the key, we lose the people.If we treasure the key and keep it safe, it will unlock
the door to wealth or affluence, thus bringing about national development. Indigenous
language is regarded as the bedrock of nation building. It is the most important tool
with which societies are organized, and it is hardly possible to talk of national
development without including the language with which the people formulate their
thoughts. This development ranges from growth in education (i.e. intellectual growth),
politics, economy, science and technology. In educational process, language is the
main pillar through which man has to plan, instruct and evaluate programmes. The
development of individuals in respect of their aspiration in the society means
development of a nation.

Individuals develop educationally, socially, economically, politically and culturally

through their interaction with government agencies that disseminate ideas and policies
through various media in the languages that the individual’s best understand.
According to Aziza (1998) national development is a gradual and advanced
improvement through progressive changes in the sociopolitical life of the nation.
National development refers to the growth of the nation in terms of internal cohesion,
integration, unity, economic well-being, mass participation in government, and
educational growth, all of which are pathfinders to vision 20-2020.

Language is a catalyst in educational development which is an important index of

national development. Language and language studies empower those who are
engaged in them. Language as a means of communication is the corner stone of any
educational process (Ige, 2000). It plays a vital role in education as a subject and it is
also a medium of instruction. Education, whether formal or informal, is carried out
through the medium of some languages, and learning at any level is largely verbal
(Awoniyi, 1978). Language, whether spoken or written, is the vehicle through which
knowledge is imparted, and knowledge is power.

Nation-building is currently a shapeless concept among scholars. In these regards,

some contemporary researchers tend to use nation-building and national (or even
economic) development synonymously (and interchangeably). There are even articles
that have interpreted nation building in terms of economic growth and stability. Some
others equate it with efforts at national progress on the political, social and other
indices of development in a country. Furthermore, nation-building as a concept can
refer to the formidable building of a new nation from previously independent
nationalities. Hence, Adigun (2015) in Egbule (2019) opines that nation-building
“means the systematic process of making a people, who hitherto are from different
cultural, ethnic, religious, racial, or national backgrounds to feel they belong together
under a nation”.

Language plays a vital role in nation building and has a significant impact on the
development and sustainability of a nation. The following are some of the role and
importance of language in nation building.
Role of Language in Nation Building

1. Instructional Function: Language is used for getting things done. The Federal
Ministry of Information uses English and the Nigerian indigenous languages as
campaign tools for sensitizing Nigerians on the need for re-branding project.
Languages are used in training and retraining of civil servants, the academics, the
lawmakers, while the politicians are being re-branded through retreats all carried out
through the instrumentality of languages.

2. Regulatory Function:Language is used for controlling people’s behaviour, for

instance through:
(a) Prohibition, as in “don’t cheat”, “don’t bribe”, don’t urinate here” etc
(b) Through threat of reprisal, especially if behaviour is not stopped, as in “I” will
punish you if you do it again” etc
(c) Through disapproval of behaviour, as in “ that is bad of you”, “No, stop it” that is
not done here, etc
3. Unity and Identity: Language acts as a powerful tool that unifies people, promotes
a sense of belonging and strengthens the national identity. It binds citizens together,
allowing them to communicate, understand and relate to each other.

4. Education and access to knowledge: Language is the primary medium for

education, enabling effective teaching and learning. By using the national language in
education, people have better access to knowledge, both in terms of academic and
cultural awareness.

5. Political Integration: Language can be a catalyst for political integration within a

nation. Encouraging multilingualism an providing equal opportunities for all
languages spoken within a nation fosters inclusive policies, promotes social harmony
and reduces linguistic-based divides.
6. Cultural Preservation: Language represents the cultural heritage of a nation, It
carries the history , traditions, customs and unique expressions of a particular
community. Preserving and promoting indigenous languages helps safeguard a
nation’s cultural diversity and richness.
7. Economic Development: A nation’s language is crucial for economic activities,
including trade, commerce, tourism and international relations. Havings a common
language reduces barriers, encourages investment, facilitates negotiations and fosters
economic integration. It also enables people to access knowledge and information
found in a great number of sources throughout the world since English Language is
the major vehicle through which knowledge and information are transmitted.
8. Communication and Governance:Language is essential for effective
communication between government and citizens. It ensures that laws, policies, and
regulations can be understood and implemented by all individuals, fostering a
cohesive society and a well-functioning government.
9. Empowerment and Social Cohesion: Language plays a vital role in empowering
individuals, especially marginalized groups by providing them a voice and access to
resources. It creates a sense of community, promotes social cohesion and encourages
participation in democratic processes. Also, language is the most fundamental and
important tool for youth empowerment. Empowerment is the process whereby people
are enabled or given the opportunity to improve in order to contribute to positive
change.

In conclusion, for language to contribute effectively to national development the

Federal Government needs to be more committed to multilingual and multicultural
education. A more serious commitment entails the following: a well planned Mother
Tongue Education,better and improved production of quality language teachers.

References

Aziza, R.O. (1998), Nigerian languages and national development. In O. Arohunmolase

(ed.), Nigerian languages for national development. Ibadan: Longman
communication
Awoniyi, T.A. (1978) The mother tongue in education. Yoruba language in
education. Ibadan: OUP 15-26
Egbule, P. O. (2019b). Appraising the role of military governments towards nation
building in Africa: a focus on Murtala-Obasanjo administration in Nigeria.
Journal of Nation-building & Policy Studies, 3(1), 103-115.
Ige,B.S. (2000), Language as a tool for moving education forward in the year 2000
and beyond. Literature and linguistics in the 21st century. Kaduna; NCCE
Publication
Nwadike, E. (2004). The Role of Igbo in Enhancing National Unity, in Oyewole (ed)
Nigerian Languages for National Development and Unity. Ibadan: Longman
Communication.
Solanke, J. (2006). What has folklore got to do with it? Endangered languages and the
electronic age. Proceedings of the national workshop on best practices to
safeguard Nigerian languages. Abuja: UNESCO publication.