Réhabilitation des langues autochtones au Nigéria : Une approche multimodale : Étude de cas de la langue Kalabari
Mots-clés :
Langues autochtones, Kalabari, approche multimodale, réhabilitation linguistique, technologie, patrimoine culturel, Indigenous languages, multimodal approach, language rehabilitation, technology, cultural heritageRésumé
Résumé
Le déclin rapide des langues autochtones à travers le Nigéria constitue une grave menace pour l’identité culturelle et la transmission intergénérationnelle des connaissances. La langue Kalabari du peuple Ijaw dans l’État de Rivers fait partie de celles en voie de disparition en raison de l’urbanisation, de la migration et de la domination de l’anglais dans l’éducation et les médias. Cette étude aborde le problème de l’attrition linguistique en explorant une approche multimodale pour la réhabilitation de la langue Kalabari, intégrant des outils numériques, l’engagement communautaire et des stratégies éducatives. À l’aide d’une méthodologie qualitative basée sur une étude de cas, les données ont été recueillies par des entretiens avec des locuteurs natifs, des observations en classe et des analyses d’initiatives communautaires de revitalisation linguistique. Nos résultats révèlent que la combinaison d’innovations technologiques (telles que les applications de traduction alimentées par l’IA et les outils de reconnaissance vocale) avec les pratiques culturelles (chansons, contes, traditions orales) améliore significativement l’apprentissage linguistique et la transmission intergénérationnelle. L’étude conclut qu’une approche multimodale fusionnant technologie, pédagogie et expression culturelle offre un modèle durable pour revitaliser les langues autochtones en danger telles que le Kalabari. Elle recommande un soutien gouvernemental, le développement de ressources numériques et une participation communautaire comme éléments essentiels à la préservation du patrimoine linguistique à l’ère numérique.
The rapid decline of indigenous languages across Nigeria constitutes a serious threat to cultural identity and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. The Kalabari language of the Ijaw people in Rivers State is among those endangered due to urbanization, migration, and the dominance of English in education and the media. This study addresses the problem of language attrition by exploring a multimodal approach to the rehabilitation of the Kalabari language, integrating digital tools, community engagement, and educational strategies. Using a qualitative case study methodology, data were collected through interviews with native speakers, classroom observations, and analyses of community-based language revitalization initiatives. Our findings reveal that the combination of technological innovations (such as AI-powered translation applications and speech recognition tools) with cultural practices (songs, storytelling, and oral traditions) significantly enhances language learning and intergenerational transmission. The study concludes that a multimodal approach merging technology, pedagogy, and cultural expression offers a sustainable model for revitalizing endangered indigenous languages such as Kalabari. It recommends government support, the development of digital resources, and active community participation as essential components for preserving linguistic heritage in the digital age.
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