LANGUAGE CONTACT AND CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF ẸDO YOUTHS

This study investigates language contact and change among Ẹdo youths. As urbanization, globalization, and digital communication reshape linguistic practices, Ẹdo-speaking youth increasingly engage in code-switching, lexical borrowing, and syntactic shifts in their speech. These interactions, particularly with Nigerian Pidgin and English, have led to the emergence of hybrid language forms that reflect evolving social identities and cultural expressions. A qualitative research design was employed, using participants’ observation method in data collection. The findings reveal that while Ẹdo remain an important marker of cultural identity, its use is declining in informal and digital spaces. Nigerian Pidgin has emerged as the dominant language of peer communication, while English retains its status as the language of education and professional advancement. The study also highlights the sociolinguistic factors driving these changes, including peer influence, exposure to global media, and shifting cultural attitudes among urban youth. Without targeted efforts to promote and preserve the Ẹdo language, there is a risk of gradual language shift and erosion of cultural heritage. The research recommends incorporating Ẹdo into school curricula, promoting the language through digital media, and encouraging community- based language initiatives. This study contributes to the broader
understanding of language contact and change in urban African contexts and offers insights into preserving indigenous languages in a rapidly globalizing society