Taught Languages; Yoruba IDENTIFIERS Anglo Nigerian Pidgin; *Nigeria

A discussion of the choice of official languages in Nigeria first gives an overvicw oi the nurrent language situation in Nigeria, particularly of indigenous language usage, sketches the history of English, French, and Ane,lo-Nigerian Pidgin (ANP) both before and after independence, outlines the main proposals for language planning, and draws some canclusions about possible directions to be taken. Sociolinguistic profiles of the main languages (English, ANP, Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo) are presented in both narrative and chart form, and include information about: their status in education at all levels;. usage in international, national, and sub-regional contexts; presence/absence of standard orthography, linguistic research, and established literature; cultural, national, and social identity and social prestige; use in national and foreign media, business, and commerce; and rcle in parliament, political c.ampaigns, religious preaching, and courts of justice. Each language is given a score based on its profile characteristics. It is argued that while English can not be replaced, realistically, iL the near future with another official language, an effort should be made to find an indigenous language alternative for the long term. Establishment of a national language commission is encouraged and a structure is outlined. Contains 18 references. (MSE) Reprcductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document