Functional Definition of Roles in Complex Multilingualism: The Example of Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Lokoja, Nigeria is arguably one of the most multilingual communities in the world. The multilingual situation of Lokoja, North Central Nigeria is intriguingly much for its complexity and Lokoja which connects the broad geographical regions of Nigeria as a result of its centrality is resident to people of diverse multilingual backgrounds, such that a typical inhabitant can speak as many as nine Nigerian languages. In the midst of this multilingualism arises the problem of domain of influence and functions of the respective languages which the inhabitants speak and the different functions which the respective languages serve are dependent on a variety of factors which range from formality, familiarity to strict informality. However, there is sometimes role conflict as a result of multi lingual complexity. The goal of this paper is to examine the socio linguistic motivational differentials in the functions of the languages in contact in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.