LANGUAGE AS A CARRIER OF CULTURE: PRESERVING NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS HERITAGE THROUGH LINGUISTIC IDENTITY

Abstract

Language and culture share a profound and inseparable connection, as explored in this article. Beyond functioning as a mere tool for communication, language serves as a vital carrier of indigenous knowledge systems, ethical frameworks, and worldviews. As the loss of indigenous languages accelerates worldwide, there is increasing concern about the erosion of cultural identity and the power dynamics that give pre-eminence to dominant languages. This article adopts an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how languages preserve cultural content, the consequences of their disappearance, and practical measures (educational, technological, and policy-driven) to revive endangered tongues. Focusing on Nigeria’s linguistic marginalization alongside global case studies, it reveals how languages act as repositories of heritage, embodying centuries of collective memory and sociocultural wisdom. Preserving them is essential not only for maintaining diversity but also for ensuring future generations access the rich cultural tapestry encoded within these linguistic systems. The article underscores proactive revitalization efforts as key to safeguarding humanity’s shared legacy.