DOCUMENTATION

This study aimed to investigate the place of storytelling in Ẹdo language documentation and preservation by assessing the significance of these storytellings in the language, examining the role of these stories in the maintenance and revitalization of the language in contemporary society, and to explore the influence of modern technologies and media platforms on the practice of storytelling and language documentation in the language. The research relied on data gotten from primary source. Interviews and storytelling sessions were conducted with elders, storytellers, and community members in Ẹdo-speaking areas in Benin City, specifically around Ovia North-East Local Government Area. The stories were first written in Ẹdo before been translated to English. The theoretical framework used for the analysis of this research was the Ethnography of Communication (SPEAKING MODEL) by Hymes (1964). The findings revealed that storytelling plays a significant role in documenting the Ẹdo language. Through oral traditions, stories serve as a repository for linguistic and cultural knowledge, preserving key expressions, idioms, and customs. It allows the language to be passed down from one generation to the next, ensuring its continuity. Storytelling also contributes to the maintenance and revitalization of the Ẹdo language in contemporary society. It helps keep the language alive by providing an engaging way to learn and practice it, especially in a time when modern languages and technologies are often prioritized.