By Abiodun Moshood
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka played host to the 36th Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN), where Rashidat Olamidayo Ajakaye delivered a thought-provoking presentation that left attendees buzzing with discussion. Titled, “The Predominance of the English Language and the Fate of Yoruba Language in Social Media Space: Literature of Internet Practices,” Ajakaye’s talk centered on the challenges faced by the Yoruba language in navigating the digital landscape with also proffering practicable remedies to the failing fate of Yoruba Language.
Held from October 21st to 25th (2025), under the theme “Nigerian Languages in the Digital Era,” the conference brought together linguists, researchers, and language enthusiasts to explore the dynamic intersection of language and technology. Ajakaye’s presentation was a highlight of the event, impressing attendees with its eloquent delivery and compelling research findings. She disclosed Yoruba stories on internet practices with cognizance of both common and uncommon styles that Nigerian speakers divide the prestige of Yoruba.
Similarly, Ajakaye’s research painted a vivid picture of the struggles of the Yoruba language in the digital space, where English reigns supreme. The study revealed some critical issues impacting the usage of Yoruba in social media. For one, there’s a major absence of Yoruba in intracultural communication online. This absence contributes to a potential loss of cultural meaning as users frequently code-switch to English. Also, the difficulties posed by Yoruba diacritics on standard internet keyboards further hinder the language’s digital adoption; she also hammered on the uncalculated inferior response to English Translation prompts by Yoruba Nigerian speakers who seem to fall in subjugation to the internet space only because it is a foreign innovation.
The presentation concluded on a sobering note: the heavy reliance on English by Yoruba speakers and linguists has weakened the position of Yoruba in the digital space. However, Ajakaye didn’t just stop at highlighting the problems. The researcher offered concrete recommendations aimed at bolstering the presence of Yoruba online. Ajakaye stressed the need for intellectuals and humanitarian workers in Yoruba-speaking communities to collaborate with software developers and cultural practitioners to document the language. Moreover, Ajakaye called on the government to establish policies that promote the natural acquisition of fluent Yoruba speaking and writing.
Attendees lauded Ajakaye’s presentation for bringing to light the critical issue of preserving Nigerian languages in the digital age. The discussion sparked the importance of addressing the challenges faced by indigenous languages like Yoruba as technology continues to shape communication patterns.
The 36th Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria provided a fitting platform for such discussions, with its theme emphasizing the need to preserve, promote, and empower Nigerian languages in the digital era. Other topics explored at the conference included digital archives and oral traditions, building digital corpora for Nigerian languages, machine translation for Nigerian languages, and local language integration in smart devices and assistive tech.
Chief Host Prof. Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umeobi, alongside other dignitaries like Prof. Imelda Udoh from the University of Uyo and Prof. George Onwudiwe, Dean, Faculty of Arts, ensured the conference was a melting pot of ideas on Nigerian languages in the digital landscape. Lead paper presenters like Prof. Ayo Yusuff from the University of Lagos and Prof. Innuoma Akinremi from the University of Jos added to the richness of discussions.
As Nigerian languages like Yoruba face hurdles in the digital space, presentations like Ajakaye’s serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to act. Documenting languages through collaborations and pushing for supportive government policies could chart a path forward for Yoruba and other Nigerian languages to thrive digitally.
In unison, the conference ended on a note of optimism with attendees agreeing on the need to push for greater digital inclusion of Nigerian languages in the internet space. As technology continues to evolve, the fate of languages like Yoruba in the digital space will depend on concerted efforts by linguists, communities and policymakers. Without uncertainty, Rashidat Olamidayo Ajakaye’s presentation remains a relevant contribution to the ongoing discussion on Nigerian languages in the digital era. Therefore, the sub-field of literary reports/stories is not only a discipline but also a path to linguistic safety and social prestige.
