Abstract
This study investigates language use variations in
social events, focusing on marriage ceremonies in Sabon-Gari, Fagge Local
Government Area of Kano State. The research explores the history of Sabon-Gari,
the reasons behind its multilingualism, and the languages predominantly used in
social gatherings despite its multicultural nature. The study aims to examine
language preferences and variations in wedding events, as well as the
underlying reasons for preferences these Sabon-Gari within the community. Systematic
sampling techniques were employed; where every eighth streets were selected for
the population size of the study until the desired sample size was reached.
Data collection methods included interviews, questionnaire administration, and
observation. A total of sixty respondents, spread across six different marriage
ceremonies. The dominant languages used in these events were English, Pidgin
English, Yoruba, and Igbo. The choice of these languages was attributed to
their simplicity, popularity, and role as mother tongues of the couples. In
addition to these dominant languages, various minority languages were also
spoken as mother tongues in Sabon-Gari.
Keywords:
Language patterns, Social occasion, Marriage ceremonies, Cultural Identity,
Social contexts
DOI: 10.36349/alqajolls.2026.v01i02.037
author/Rukaiya Halidu Yunus, Maryam Mannir, Rukayya Bashir Dambo & Maryam Mukhtar Abdullahi
journal/AL-QALAM JLLS 1(2) | June 2026
