Language Attitudes and Language Use among Linguistically Diverse Young Urban People in Sheger City

Abstract

The diverse languages of the host community and the metropolitan city are often hostile and possibly influence one another's usage. This study was intended to explore if and how language attitudes could influence language usage among linguistically diverse first language (L1) users. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design that involved a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches that included questionnaires, interviews, and secondary sources. Data were collected from 151 young urban students with diverse linguistic backgrounds. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive tools, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results revealed that the language attitudes of both Amharic and Afan Oromo L1 users were more convergent and less divergent psychologically; however, they were more divergent linguistically in formal domains. The neutrality towards Afan Oromo usage meant the participants were psychologically ambivalent and linguistically divergent, whereas the neutrality towards Amharic was psychologically ambivalent and linguistically convergent. Moreover, Amharic was primarily perceived as a language used for communication purposes, whereas Afan Oromo is a language of identity marker among respective L1 users. This phenomenon may be attributed to the limited usage of Afan Oromo as a lingua franca among second-language learners. Thus, the results have policy implications to reduce the divisiveness of languages and nurture positive attitudes toward one's and others' linguistic behavior. A bilingual language policy in major urban areas that may serve the needs of the communities surrounding those areas and a multilingual language policy at the country level were suggested.