Mapping the Linguistic Diversity of Nasarawa State: Languages, Dialects, and Orthographies in North-Central Nigeria

This study explores the languages, dialects, writing systems (orthographies), linguistic families, and status of indigenous languages spoken in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria from a socio-linguistic perspective. The research aims to identify the number of languages and dialects, examine their orthographies, classify them into language families, and determine their current status (active, endangered, or extinct). The study used a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data were collected from local communities using structured questionnaires and interviews, with a sampling process ensuring representation from both urban and rural areas. Findings reveal that 29 indigenous languages are spoken in Nasarawa State, most of which belong to the Benue-Congo sub-group of the Niger-Congo language family, while a few belong to the Chadic and Afro-Asiatic families. The study also highlights that while some languages have fully developed orthographies, others have incomplete or no written forms, making them vulnerable to extinction. One of the key contributions of this research is the creation of a linguistic map of Nasarawa State. The study recommends that the Nigerian Educational and Research Development Council (NERDC) work on developing orthographies for Nigerian languages and that these be made available online for global accessibility.