Language Choice in a Multilingual Obudu Community

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating language choice among Bette native
speakers in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. It focused
and explored factors such as social status, educational attainment, ethnicity,
occupation, topic, purpose, place, preference, and formality of situation,
involved in using Bette, Pidgin and English languages among Bette people. In
order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers selected a sample
that consisted of (100) Bette respondents who reside in Obudu, covering
different age ranges, gender, and educational backgrounds. The instrument of
the study was a sociolinguistic questionnaire. Results showed that Bette
speakers have positive attitudes towards Bette above Pidgin and English. They
freely use their Bette language in the domain of home with family members,
and when interacting in club houses and beer parlours because it is the
language of wider acceptance and foster inter-personal relationship. Also,
both Bette and English dominate in most worship centers as interpretations
from English to Bette go on concurrently. In addition, they use English in
formal situations and in educational institutions as it is the prestigious
language usually more favoured in formal settings. Pidgin is more preferred
in Governmental offices and when people network socially. Results also
showed that Bette native speakers mix English and Pidgin languages in the
domain of neighborhood, with friends, and while chatting on social media.