This study investigates Tiv speakers’ attitudes towards lexical borrowing and examines its role in the maintenance of the Tiv language.

In the context of increasing language contact and globalization, minority languages like Tiv face challenges related to language change and potential shift. Lexical borrowing, as a linguistic phenomenon, can both enrich and threaten the integrity of indigenous languages. This research uses a descriptive survey design to explore how Tiv speakers perceive borrowed words, their acceptance or resistance to such borrowings, and the implications for language vitality. Data collected through interviews with different age groups in the Tiv community reveal balanced attitudes that balance linguistic innovation with cultural preservation.

Findings show that the Tiv language has borrowed extensively from English and neighbouring languages such as Igbo, Yoruba, Jukun, Hausa, Udam, and Bantu-Nyanza. Most of the borrowed words are nouns, especially in domains such as education, religion, politics, commerce, and food. Findings also indicate that attitudes towards borrowed words vary among Tiv speakers. Younger and more educated speakers generally accept borrowing as a natural part of language development and modernization. In contrast, older and more rural speakers tend to express concern about the influence of foreign elements on the purity of the Tiv language. Findings further reveal that lexical borrowing plays a significant role in enhancing the vitality of the Tiv language. By expanding the vocabulary and allowing the expression of new concepts, borrowing helps Tiv remain functional and relevant in a multilingual and modern society.

The findings suggest that promoting language education, inclusive language policies, community awareness campaigns, and documenting indigenous vocabulary alongside borrowed terms can foster positive attitudes towards lexical borrowing.

The study concludes that given the dynamic nature of language contact in multilingual societies, investigating these attitudes is essential for informing language policy, preservation strategies and the reinforcement of cultural identity.