Language attitudes in Kom and Mankon Communities : endangerment or perpetuation?

Abstract

Abstract: Cameroon defined by its complex multilingual setting and cultural diversity proffers a fertile breeding ground of interesting linguistic phenomena juicy to many researchers. With the co-existence of about 250 indigenous languages as well as pressure from exoglossic languages, many perceptions and behavioural patterns abound as users interact. This study assesses community members’ attitudes towards mother tongue and mother tongue education in order to ascertain whether a positive or negative attitude to a language naturally leads to perpetuation or endangerment respectively in Cameroon. In order to achieve this goal, the research uses both direct and indirect methods of obtaining data which entail administering questionnaires and a matched guise techniques test to two distinct language communities-Mankon and Kom. Findings from the collected data show that both community members portray a positive attitude towards their indigenous language and its use in schools with the attitudes of females and the aging population being most significant. These languages therefore are perpetuated and continuously exist because of positive attitudes of community members. However, results also reveal an intergenerational language shift from the indigenous language to English with the aging population and the inverse for the working population. These findings are relevant to the sustenance of the Mother tongue education (MTE) program in Kom whereby positive attitudes have, to an extent, led to success in MTE within the community and in Mankon which is aspiring to embrace MTE. Also, it is important for MTE teachers especially concerning the learners’ judgment of the teachers which invariably affects the learners’ success.