THE PLACE OF YOUTHS IN LANGUAGE ENDANGERMENT OF UKWUANI LANGUAGE IN DELTA STATE

This study explores the role of Ukwuani youths in this language endangerment, examining their attitudes, choices, and the social forces influencing their linguistic preferences. Grounded in Fishman’s Language Shift Theory (1964), the research adopts a quantitative approach, gathering data from 50 Ukwuani-speaking youths through structured questionnaires. Findings reveal a significant decline in Ukwuani usage, with English being the preferred language for daily interactions. While some youths still speak Ukwuani at home or during cultural events, its relevance in education, social media, and peer interactions is alarmingly low. Key contributing factors include urbanization, globalization, and the lack of formal instruction in Ukwuani. Despite this decline, hope remains. Many respondents support initiatives to revive the language, such as integrating Ukwuani into school curricula, promoting it on digital platforms, and encouraging community-based language programs. This study highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts between families, educators, policymakers, and the media to ensure that Ukwuani is not just a language of the past but a living, thriving part of the future.