The languages of Nigeria and language usage in that country are discussed in a study designed to illustrate the need for a Nigerian lingua franca. Extensive data are first presented on Nigerian languages and dialects, their classification, and their geographic distribution. The remainder of the survey is devoted to a sociolinguistic study of…

Standard measures and techniques are needed to establish resemblances and differences among languages. A determination of the degree to which one lanquage or dialect differs from another requires the examination of language universals. To study what languages have in common, attention has to be given to the physical, psychological, and social…

This is the first comprehensive study in English of African languages in the context of their cultural setting. It may be used as a basic text in survey courses on African languages as well as a supplemental text in practical language courses. No linguistic background is necessary for understanding this book--the basic concepts are explained,…