Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies (ISSN: 2321 – 2799) Volume 02– Issue 01, February 2014 Asian Online Journals (www.ajouronline.com ) 100 Effects of Modernity on African Languages: A Review of Naija and Urhobo Languages in Nigeria Ufuoma Emmanuel Tonukari 1 , Lucky Ejobee 2 , Eseoghene Aleh 3 , Aloysius Ikechukwu Orjinta 4 1,2,3 Department of Languages & Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria 4 University of Nigeria, Nigeria. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT--- Studies over the years have shown that there is a swift change in the language situation in post colonial Africa especially in the urban centers where some new forms of linguistic codes are being introduced over existing ones thus initiating a new nomenclature which could alter the linguistic pattern of Africa. To a large extent, this change is ascribed to the growing effect of modernization and the dynamics of language (which is normal and unstoppable). This paper has two objectives. First, a modest attempt to present the language shift in Africa by looking at some countries with particular reference to the Nigerian situation where Naijá (hitherto called the Nigerian Pidgin) is highly influential and serves as lingua franca for the majority of the population of Nigeria. Secondly, to look at one of the Edoid languages (Urhobo) in the Southern part of Nigeria, with reference to the effect of modernity on culture to ascertain if Naijá is a killer language. The general findings show that Naijá will continue to subdue Urhobo language and other languages in Nigeria if appropriate steps are not taken. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. INTRODUCTION Different factors are responsible for linguistic change but very often, it is traced to a contact situation at a designated period of time. Hence the assertion by some researchers that language contact is prone to language change which is evident in many speech communities. In respect to change we shall align our thought with the quote by Robert Nicholai (2007:11) on language contact that: There come times when the place of fact in a descriptive configuration changes, when new topics become relevant, when all phenomena can no longer be easily accounted for, when explanatory principles lose their absolute validity. A change of perspective upsets the descriptive framework and diverts attention to new problems which presage conceptual renewal and theoretical reconstruction founded on a changed understanding of the reality to be described. The subject of language contact is currently undergoing a process of this kind. This process of change highlighted here could be said to be universal because it is felt virtually in all linguistic communities all over the world although to different degrees. It has given rise to some new studies as Matras (2008:1) rightly highlighted: Manifestations of language contact are found in a great variety of domains, including language acquisition, language processing and production, conversation and discourse, social functions of language and language policy, typology and language change, and more. There have been lots of works on language oriented activities in the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe but not necessarily in Africa where 25 per cent of the world’s languages are spoken, Gerrit J. Dimmendaal and F. K. Erhard Voeltz (2007). When language issues patterning Africa are discussed, two languages basically come to mind. One is the language inherited from the colonial masters and the other is the indigenous African language spoken by a given linguistic community. Language in Africa has become, over the years, not only an indispensable complement but the most permanent instrument of upholding culture. It articulates, refines and promotes cultural evolution as well as transmits and translates trends, Tonukari (2009). Today, there seems to be a resentment given the dwindling situation of African culture which is alleged to be as a result of the presence of Western languages and cultures. In this work, we focus on the language change in Africa with particular reference on Naijá (sometimes referred to, all through this work by its former name, Nigerian Pidgin), which is seen as a strong force waxing stronger with the