Arabic Language Attitudes and Language Shift Among Third-Generation Arab-Descent Communities in Lagos

Communities of Arab descent in Nigeria, primarily Lebanese, Syrian, and Yemeni origin families that have settled in Lagos over multiple generations, represent a unique case study in heritage language maintenance and shift, as Arabic competes with English and Yoruba for intergenerational transmission in an urban multilingual environment. This study investigates Arabic language attitudes and patterns of language shift among third-generation members of Arab-descent communities in Lagos, examining the relationship between identity, intermarriage, education, and Arabic maintenance across the generational transition. Using a mixed-methods sociolinguistic design, the research administers a bilingual Arabic-English attitudes and language use questionnaire to 120 third-generation Arab-descent adults in Lagos Island and Victoria Island, supplemented by in-depth life history interviews with 20 participants. Language use diaries collected over two weeks provide quantitative data on daily language allocation across home, social, and professional domains. The study finds a significant generational decline in Arabic production proficiency and a shift towards English as the dominant home language, though receptive Arabic skills and strong positive attitudes towards Arabic as a heritage identity marker are maintained. Religious motivation for Arabic retention is high but insufficient on its own to reverse productive language shift. Recommendations address community Arabic retention strategies including weekend heritage language schools and intergenerational storytelling programmes. Keywords: Language shift, Arab-descent community, Lagos, heritage language, language attitudes.