ABSTRACT:
Attempts to resist the marginalisation of African indigenous dialects remain inconclusive due to persistent dissensus in Africa. Thus, this paper examines language barrier as the bane of development in Africa. Data were derived from content analysis of relevant documents, while the discourse was anchored on Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. It is argued that hegemonies of popular languages in Africa have contributed to underdevelopment of the continent, as indigenous initiatives geared towards development remain largely locked in folklore. Africans lack access to the rich heritage of their indigenous languages as a result of the imposition of lingua francas such as Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese languages. It is recommended that solutions to the underdevelopment of Africa should be derived from useful traditional values embedded in African indigenous languages. Such languages should be rejuvenated and translated to reflect modern reality. Also, all relevant indigenous perspectives to development must be reactivated.
