The Effect of Language Shift on the Loss of Cultural Identity of Igbo Names

Abstract

Language is an indispensable means of communication and a veritable tool of socio-economic mobility in every society. Virtually everything around man is embedded in language. Language carries all human values. Language is used in giving names to everything and everyone as a first identification. Names depict man's physical and spiritual beliefs, observations, condition, or situation. Names describe the cultural perspective and identity of a tribe. The dominance of the English language has influenced the names that Igbo people currently bear, like Osuji, Anizoba, Ọdịnkemma, Okafọ, Mgbeeke, etc., thereby shifting from their indigenous or cultural names, losing the meanings and the cultural identity and relevance, to the Western trending names, like Anthony, Agnes, Godwin, Tracy, etc.