Assessment of Indigenous Language Competence of Extension Agents in Ogun State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the indigenous language competence of extension agents and examine the influence of their personal characteristics on their indigenous language competence. A total of 84 Extension agents were randomly selected from the list of extension agents of Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP). Experimental procedure was adopted to assess the fluency and translation abilities of Extension agents. Data was also collected on their personal characteristics. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that majority (64.3%) of Extension agents were highly competent in the indigenous language and the results from fluency test showed that average talking speed of extension agents was 134 words per minute (wpm), which falls in the high competence category. However, translation test to measure competence in translating English Language to Yoruba Language (indigenous language) showed that certain technical concepts were problematic for the Extension agents to correctly translate. It was also discovered that none of the personal characteristics of extension agents had any influence on their indigenous language competence. Characteristics such as: age (r=0.03, p>0.05); experience (r=-0.08, p>0.05); sex (χ2=0.02,p>0.05); WAEC score in Yoruba (r=5.62, P>0.5). The study recommends that technical, complex terms and concepts utilized in agricultural messages are to be compiled in order to effect a uniform translation of such into the indigenous language. Such terms are to be taught extension agents to enhance their message delivery competence.

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