HOW NECESSARY IS IT TO SPEAK YOUR MOTHER TONGUE?

The UN set a day to celebrate the mother tongue. So, quick question, do you speak your mother tongue? Or do you know what it means to do so? When a lot of people still disagree as to what mother tongue even means. UN World’s Mother Language Day. I am interested in this particular topic because it concerns and affects me a lot.

Truly, and as a fact, one’s language is one’s identity and shapes one’s mind or worldview. There is no contesting that.

I have met a lot of people who are like, ‘You are from where?’ Me, ‘Kwara’. ‘Oh, so, you are Yoruba?’

And then, they switch immediately to continue the conversation in Yoruba, and when I reply in English. The expression on their face is utter shock, and every other thing that follows, I am used to already. The whys, the blame game, the losing our culture talk, comparing to Hausa and Igbo…

I feel we have decided to see it as being in competition with our own Nigerian languages. To me, there is no competition. Each one has a role it plays for society and for individuals. Speaking English or any of the Nigerian languages should be a matter of choice and, in some cases, context. Use whichever one you want when you want to.

Speaking and learning the English language shouldn’t be a hindrance, however, to speaking one’s own native language. I think both aid the other.

Read here: Which Do You Prefer Speaking, Your Native Language or The English Language?

When you see someone who doesn’t dialogue in their native language, in place of jesting or mocking or blaming the person (as is the case with most of us), as the upholder of culture, you find out why the person does not and try to encourage the person to speak their language.

Language is culture, quite alright, the idea a lot of people have is that the majority of people who do not speak their language are not cultured. They begin to pour all the problems society faces on those who do not speak any language other than English. They panic that their culture is dying right in their faces.

Really, who set these rules? The whole essence of language is communication and understanding. Why can’t we just flow with what we both can understand? Of course, the joy and pride of being the trueborn of your culture, whose language you so hold dear

Should You Know How to Speak Your Mother Tongue?

Does your friend know how to speak? He/she could but might decide not to. Why? That’s the question that follows. Well, who knows? It is a matter of choice. If one didn’t have another option, then maybe. So, why not just speak it, right?

A THING OF PRIDE

I have met a lot of people who believe that when they speak to you in a different language or their native tongue, and you respond with English, the next thing is that you are a show-off, you are proud that you think you speak English better than them. Funny how I still have not gotten the concept behind that thought. I have never been able to find the reason why someone will say that, the last one especially.

The only thing of pride in this is, like I said: being the trueborn of your culture whose language you so hold dear.

I just wish we would stop treating people differently based on that. Language gives a sense of oneness and unity. We can achieve a lot by speaking in one tongue. Language alone has caused half of the problems we are having in this country. You are not my brother because we don’t speak in the same tongue. Yet, he who is my brother but doesn’t have my tongue, I get strange feelings as to whether to accept him or to push him away.

In my very honest opinion, if because someone doesn’t speak your language you deny them of what is really needed or what they are qualified for, you really should be shut out of this world. And, if you are like me, try to speak your language.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE….

Yoruba is fun.

My friends would mock me on seeing this. But, do you know I make up conversations in my head in Yoruba? I actually speak, gist, laugh, and have crazy interactions in my head with Yoruba.

Yes, please, let’s stop this; “You have lived in Lagos all your life, and you can’t speak Yoruba or Igbo.”

What’s your opinion on speaking your mother’s tongue and about those who don’t speak theirs? And if you don’t speak yours why is it so? Let us know in the comments section.

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