LANGUAGE CONTACT AND INFLUENCE IMPLICATIONS FOR IGALABASSA-NGE CONTACT IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE.
ABSTRACT
This study investigates language contact and influence, its implications for Igala and Bassa-Nge contact in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State. The study specifically deals with the linguistic, socio-cultural and economic factors that influence that language contact between Igala and Bassa-Nge speech communities. The study uses 200 respondents comprising 100 individuals each from the two speech communities. This study reviews related literature both theoretical and empirical studies on language contact with its attendant positive and negative consequences. The instruments used for data collection are observation and structured questionnaires that contain a four point likert scale type on the phenomenon of language contact. Suggestions and recommendations are made on the possibilities for positive influence on language contact between speech communities if all conditions for favourable contact are taken care of.