Documentation of Endangered Dialect of the Igbo Language: Issues of Greetings in Enugwu Ezike Dialect

Abstract

This paper studies the documentation of endangered dialect of the Igbo language: Issues of greetings in Enugwu Ezike dialect. The objectives of the study are to identify different types of greetings in Enugwu Ezike, examine the extent to which other dialects, standard Igbo or English language are preferred in greetings in Enugwu Ezike and also to proffer measures through which the greeting patterns can be revitalised. The data for the study were gathered through introspection and unstructured oral interview. Using descriptive method of data analysis, the study discovers different types of greetings in Enugwu Ezike dialect ranging from daily greetings, greetings to the sick, farewell greetings, seasonal/ periodic greetings, eulogy/praise greetings etc. The study also discovers that many speakers of Enugwu Ezike dialect especially the younger generation prefer the greeting patterns of other dialects and languages. In order to avert this ugly phenomenon, the study suggests measures towards reviving this aspect of the dialect which are through documentation, awareness-raising through programs on radio and television stations, involving the young people via social media and the loyalty of the speakers towards their dialect. The study therefore recommends that researchers from Enugwu Ezike extraction should endeavour to work on other aspects of Enugwu Ezike dialect that is under threat of endangerment or outright extinction.