The Prelacy and The Igbo Language: A Case for Prospect and Posterity

Abstract

It is a fact that the speakers of Igbo language in most cases are shy to speak their language given the effects of the prestigious language exposure. Consequently, a lot of families no longer expose their children to their mother tongue and the result is a drastic reduction in the number of the new generation taking pride in the growth and future of the Igbo language. On this backdrop, this paper seeks to examines the position of the prelacy as agents of social change; to investigate their roles in the battle for the survival of the Igbo language. The paper specifically looks at how the prelacy, given their revered position can bring to the consciousness of their hearers the beauty and the advantages of projecting the Igbo language against the tide of indigenous language holocaust. Through the methodology of unstructured interviews and logical interpretations, the study found out that the prelacy holds an important position in the lives of their hearers and can move their hearers to change their thinking towards their language. The paper concludes that the prelacy holds the key to the prospects and posterity of the Igbo language.