An evaluation of historical language contact between Hausa and Fulani in Northern Nigeria
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Background of the Study
Hausa and Fulani have shared a long history of linguistic and cultural contact in Northern Nigeria. Historically, the migration of the Fulani people into Hausaland, particularly during the formation of the Sokoto Caliphate, led to extensive language contact and eventual integration. This prolonged interaction resulted in mutual lexical borrowing, convergence in syntactic structures, and the emergence of a hybrid socio-political identity—the Hausa–Fulani (Adejumo, 2023). Oral traditions, historical records, and early written documents indicate that this contact influenced not only vocabulary but also pragmatic features and prosody (Ibrahim, 2024). Social, economic, and religious factors contributed to language convergence, especially in urban centers where intermarriage and trade were common. Moreover, the influence of Islam and subsequent administrative policies reinforced a shared linguistic identity. Despite the wealth of anecdotal evidence, systematic studies using diachronic corpora are limited. The need for a comprehensive analysis that examines historical language contact phenomena is essential for understanding the evolution of Hausa and Fulani and for informing contemporary language policies (Usman, 2025).
Statement of the Problem
Although the historical contact between Hausa and Fulani is widely recognized, there is a lack of systematic, corpus-based studies that analyze its linguistic impact. Existing research tends to focus on sociopolitical implications while neglecting detailed phonological, syntactic, and lexical changes resulting from prolonged contact (Adejumo, 2023). This gap hinders our ability to understand how contact has shaped the modern forms of both languages and limits the development of effective language preservation and education strategies (Ibrahim, 2024).
Objectives of the Study
- To identify and analyze linguistic features resulting from Hausa–Fulani contact.
- To examine the socio-cultural factors that facilitated language convergence.
- To assess the impact of contact on the evolution of both languages.
Research Questions
- What linguistic features characterize Hausa–Fulani language contact?
- Which socio-cultural factors have most influenced this convergence?
- How has historical contact shaped modern Hausa and Fulani forms?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it provides a comprehensive analysis of language contact, shedding light on the mechanisms behind linguistic convergence. The findings will inform language policy, educational practices, and preservation efforts in Northern Nigeria, benefiting linguists, historians, and policymakers.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on historical language contact between Hausa and Fulani in Northern Nigeria, analyzing available historical documents and corpora. It does not extend to modern sociolinguistic factors beyond the historical period.
Definitions of Terms
- Language Contact: Interaction between speakers of different languages leading to mutual influence.
- Hausa–Fulani: A hybrid socio-political identity resulting from extensive language contact.
- Diachronic Analysis: The study of language change over time.
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