THE LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF BÈKWÁRRA BY BÈKWÁRRA INDIGINES IN YORÙBÁ LAND

This paper presents a sociolinguistic study of the variety of Bèkwárra language spoken by Bèkwárra children born in the Western part of Nigeria—Yorùbá land—and explores its distinct features. The study examines the concepts of First Language (L1), Mother Tongue (MT), and Second Language (L2), with a focus on how these apply to the linguistic reality of these children. Linguistic features analyzed include lexico-grammar, lexico-semantics, honorific pronouns, and tone misplacement, along with the resulting semantic ambiguities. The study argues that achieving competence in Bèkwárra as an L2 depends largely on the role of parents and adult speakers within the speech community. However, many of these adults now prioritize mastering Yorùbá—the dominant language of their immediate environment—resulting in minimal linguistic guidance for the younger generation. Consequently, Bèkwárra children in Yorùbáland often acquire the language with little or no support. This paper recommends that adult speakers and parents consistently use Bèkwárra when interacting with younger (L2) speakers to ensure intergenerational transmission and linguistic continuity.