Al-Hikmah University Journal

This study examines the linguistic phenomena of interference and code-switching in the speeches of Ibo learners of Yorùbá as a second language in Nigeria. Through a qualitative analysis of speech data collected from students and community members in Oyo, the research investigates the impact of native language influence on Yorùbá language acquisition. Key findings indicate that interference frequently occurs at phonological, lexical, and syntactic levels, primarily due to the inherent differences between the Igbo and Yorùbá languages. Additionally, the study observes strategic code-switching, which serves communicative, social, and expressive purposes among the speakers. The paper also discusses the implications of these phenomena on educational policies and language teaching, recommending specific pedagogical strategies to mitigate interference and utilise code-switching effectively. This research contributes to our understanding of second language acquisition in multilingual contexts and offers insights for language policy and educational practices in Nigeria.