THE ROLE OF LOCAL LANGUAGES IN SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is an attempt to underscore the crucial role of local languages in facilitating community participation in socio-economic development. This is with particular reference to projects carried out in five communities from five Local Government Areas by the Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency (EBCSDA), Nigeria. The investigation was based on the responses of 10 project supervisory staff of EBCSDA and 94 executive members of development unions from the five communities studied. The instrument of data collection was primarily the questionnaire, supplemented by the interview and observation methods. Analysis of data was done through a simple statistical method using frequencies and percentages. Findings from the study revealed that successful implementation of sustainable socio-economic development projects are better achieved through both the use of local languages and participation of the target population. This paper concludes that language and community participation are crucial to socio-economic development. Hence, the use of indigenous languages is highly recommended; just as efficient corpus planning of the local dialects and the inclusion of the target groups in the execution of community development projects.