A woman’s passion for indigenous languages

It is common for most parents to want their children not to speak indigenous languages, believing that it would affect their ability to speak English language. A parent, told Sunday Trust that “I would want my children to speak good English, not accented English. If they speak native language, it will affect their ability to […]

It is common for most parents to want their children not to speak indigenous languages, believing that it would affect their ability to speak English language. A parent, told Sunday Trust that “I would want my children to speak good English, not accented English. If they speak native language, it will affect their ability to speak English which is the Nigeria’s lingua franca. Therefore,  it takes nothing out of them even if they don’t understand their native language as long as they can effectively communicate in English. Also their ability to speak good English will make them rise quickly in their work places.”

Remarks like this attracted Otitoloju’s attention to the need for the promotion of the indigenous languages in the society. She does not succumb to the belief that speaking vernacular could affect one’s ability to speak English language. She has this to say:  “I am well grounded in Yoruba, my native language. But I also speak good and fluent English. I grew up to learn both languages together. Speaking Yoruba language has not in any way affected my understanding of English language. It is for this purpose I have begun publishing books to encourage our children to learn local languages. Our native languages are our identity and they must not be allowed to die”, she admonished.

 Otilologu, whose Blazing Ideas was established with the fundamental aim of reviving, revitalising and preserving the Nigerian indigenous languages through the usage of folktales represented in the form of educational materials, painted a gory picture of the state of the Nigerian language in her recent presentation titled “Nigerian Indigenous Languages: Revival, Revitalisation and Preservation”.

The indigenous languages’ advocate lamented that “our indigenous languages, which are the ultimate expressions of our identity, over the past two decades, have become strange to the younger generations. It is very unfortunate that many parents now take pride in their children’s lack of understanding of the indigenous languages”.

She believes the problem is compounded by the prohibition of vernacular speaking in some segments of the society, especially in some primary and secondary schools as well as in higher institutions of learning.

“Unfortunately, the prohibition of vernacular speaking is regarded by many as the normal way of language development. Ironically, what is keeping these native languages alive today is the high level of illiteracy which is still largely prevalent in the rural areas of the country. All over the world, concerted and serious efforts are being made to save indigenous languages from going into extinction. Towards this end, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has since November 17, 1999 set aside February 21 of every year as the International Mother Tongue/Language Day. It is time for us to join this race. Language is the foremost medium for the propagation of ideas and it is the tool that facilitates human relationships across all racial barriers”.

In her opinion, for a language to play a vital role in fostering a cordial relationship between  knowledge and survival of a culture, there is a need for the discussion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems which must include language retention, noting that the deliberate and imposed destruction of indigenous languages has caused the loss of traditional knowledge systems.

 “The effects of the Western culture on our society is strong, especially among the younger generation in terms of speaking mother tongues, dress codes and patterns, as Nigerian youths have largely embraced the West at the expense of our own cultural heritage. The first phase of our project involved the compilation of the memorable and unforgettable ijapa stories passed down from generations to generations. These ijapa stories are re-told in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo languages and are accompanied by English translations”.

Otitoloju, therefore, called on the government at all levels, corporate and international organisations to work in partnership to save the Nigerian indigenous languages from the threat of extinction.