An Appraisal of Language Discrimination on Accommodation in Ibadan

Abstract

The choice of language to convey specific message with the intention of influencing people is vitally important. As we all know; human experience involves so much migration and blending of people with different ethnic and language groups over time. This is important because it reminds us that differences in treatment of ethnic and language groups are based on social distinctions, not innate biological distinctions. Thus, we specifically explore respondents’ tussle to secure public accommodation and the infringement of right on accommodation in Yoruba on language discriminations. The paper adopted interview as a means of data collection with 10 respondents that cut across different government parastatal, institution, self-employed and artisan within Ibadan. The respondents’ interactions that were recorded were subjected to transcriptions. It was observed that the non-native speakers of Yoruba in Ibadan were discriminated against based on their ethnicity or language affiliations. This has exceptionally creates gaps, propelled disunity and hatred between the native and non-native speakers of Yoruba in Ibadan. Hence, the non-native speakers of Yoruba in their views opined that, if they can be permitted to live in the environments surrounded by their ethnic or language affiliations, there will be mutual intelligibility and it will give them advantage to interact effectively and peradventure, if quarrels emanates, they will be able to know the possible means of settling them. The paper concludes that, public awareness and enlightenment should be organized constantly by the host community; and that government should re- visit the issue of national language.