Parents and Children as Stakeholders in Yoruba Minority Language Acquisition

Abstract

In a bottom-top family language policy (FLP), multiple factors and actors are responsible for children’s minority (indigenous, native, and heritage) language acquisition. Because of the interconnection of stakeholders in the development of motivation for language acquisition, actors are often impossible to single out as independently responsible for their ideologies or language practices. This study explores parents and children as stakeholders in FLP and how they manifest their agency. Using data from multiple research tools, including questionnaires, informal interviews and fieldnotes, this research demonstrates Yoruba parents and children as major stakeholders in family language policy with varying degree of agentic power. Findings show that the collaboration of parents and children within FLP is fundamental to any meaningful progress in the rejuvenation of Yoruba from its classification as an endangered or minority language (Adegbite, 2025; Akinfenwa, 2018; Fabunmi and Salawu, 2005). In conclusion, the analysis of stakeholders’ actions and their impact in FLP is crucial to understanding the language acquisition issues facing Yoruba children in order to facilitate Yoruba language revitalization.