Effects of Globalization and Modernization on Igbo Language, Communication and Culture

One advantage of globalization is the fact that the world has become a global village, whereby contents, ideas, etc are shared across countries and information happening in one country. These contents shared across the globe facilitate and enhance exchange of information and news of daily events, new ideas, peoples’ heritage, languages, culture etc. However, such exchange of ideas or contents often times negatively affect people’s values, beliefs and cultural heritage, as people of developing countries unconsciously adopt foreign beliefs, languages, culture and communication pattern leading to endangerment and extinction of their heritage, as in the case of Igbo language and culture. Igbo language is a means of expression of Igbo culture. It preserves and transmits such culture from generation to generation. However, Igbo language, one of the three major Nigerian languages has been listed by the UNESCO in 2012 as an endangered language. The study reviews the effects of globalization and modernization, highlighting its positive and negative implications on Igbo language, communication and culture. The research adopted a library-based method which essentially entails a review of extant literature as the basis for understanding the research issue and making necessary inferences. The review of literature has shown that globalization is a critical factor to the endangered state of Igbo language and culture. This study therefore, contributes in the promotion of Igbo cultural heritage by suggesting strategies for revitalization and preservation of Igbo language, communication and culture which include among others: constant portrayal of Igbo language and culture in both local national and international media for adoption by Igbo indigenes at home and in diaspora; consciousness of Igbo language speaking by every individual in Igbo families; policy formulation and implementation by Nigerian government to make major Nigerian languages compulsory in schools and at every level of education. It is believed that these recommendations, if effectively adopted, would help towards preventing extinction of Igbo language and culture.

Keywords: Endangered Language, Igbo Language, Communication, Culture, Globalization, Modernization.