Covid-19: The Role of Local Language in Mitigating It’s Spread, A Case Study of Yobe State Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the sudden emergence of the novel coronavirus pandemic, various strategies and mechanisms were put in place to curb the spread and transmission of the deadly virus. This necessitate the use of Indigenous languages as a tools of fighting the pandemic. Aim: the study aimed to evaluate the role of local language in mitigating the spread of the virus in Yobe state, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was conducted using probability sampling techniques in which three local governments were selected from the three senatorial zone of the state making a total of nine local governments out of the seventeen local governments in the state. In each local government, 50 interviewees were selected randomly for the questionnaire. Results: A total of 450 participants were recruited in the study, of which, 317 (70.45%) were 133 (29.55%). Majority of the participants were aware of the symptoms of COVID-19, while most of the respondents were only aware of handwashing and avoidance of hand shaking as the preventive measure of the disease. The most frequently used source of information about COVID-19 were the local and international media operating in local languages. Information from social media and families and friends were the second and third most used informational medium respectively. The least frequently used source of information was Billboards and Posters. Conclusion: the study shows local indigenous language to be in the frontline in fighting the spread of COVID-19 pandemic within Yobe state.

Keywords: COVID-19; Local; Indigenous; Language; Yobe state; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/80-05

Publication date:June 30^th 2022