Bilingualism and Language Shift in Exogamous Families in Urban and Rural Settings of Ekiti State

ABSTRACT This study investigated bilingualism and language shift in exogamous families in both urban and rural settings of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The research explored the linguistic dynamics within families where parents came from different linguistic backgrounds, focusing on how language use and language shift were shaped by the environments in which these families lived. The study addressed four key research questions: the patterns of bilingualism in exogamous families, the extent and nature of language shift, the influence of urbanization and rural traditions, and strategies for supporting language maintenance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from 50 exogamous families. The findings revealed that in urban settings, exogamous families predominantly used English, leading to a shift away from indigenous languages, while rural families tended to maintain more balanced bilingualism. Urbanization was found to accelerate language shift, while rural traditions and community cohesion helped preserve indigenous languages. The study also highlighted the challenges faced by exogamous families in balancing bilingualism with the socio-economic demands of modern life. Based on the findings, recommendations for language maintenance strategies were provided, including the promotion of indigenous language education and the support of community-based cultural practices. This study contributed to understanding the complex interplay of factors that influenced bilingualism and language shift in exogamous families, particularly within the context of Nigeria’s evolving socio-cultural landscape.