Language Attrition, Language Endangerment and Code Switching Among Africans in Canada

Migration is more and more increasing but yet, integration in the host country depends on how well and proficient you are in the language of destination. Change in the linguistic environment, language ecology, isolation, parents' attitude lead to native language attrition and or endangerment. In fact, attrition, which “can represent the tangible symptom of disconnectedness and severance” (Monica, 2011) concerns most often children who are living abroad with or without their parents. Despite the worldwide efforts to secure mother tongues and to promote linguistic and cultural diversities, due to migration, globalization and as well as other related factors, the mother tongues are increasingly under threat or disappearance; at least, this is true of the Africans children living in Canada. Within the framework of a qualitative method, the current research, through questionnaires, interviews, investigates the problems and points out the danger of losing mother tongues if no measure is taken.