LANGUAGE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF IGBO CULTURE

Abstract

Language and culture are always interdependent. The evidence became obvious in recent times when Igbo culture became endangered, as Igbo language was on a downward trend and at the brink of becoming moribund. The cause of this was traced to the preference of foreign languages by the Igbo people to the neglect of their language. It is against this backdrop that the study of this nature become necessary in order to contrast the relationship between language and culture as it affects the Igbo language. The study also analyses the roles played by Igbo language in the development of Igbo culture and ascertains how far the Igbo language can be explored in the future for the improvement of the Igbo culture.The study is descriptive in nature. The Theoretical Framework is anchored on Behaviorism. Data collection was done through observation and library sources. The findings of this work reveal that, generally, language is a vital tool in the development of people’s culture and Igbo culture in particular, and that Igbo language has the capacity of developing and strengtheningIgbo culture. It is advised that Igbo people should hold fast to their language to restore and develop their culture better, for posterity to have a sound heritage.