FCT residents want children to speak mother tongue

Some FCT residents have reiterated the need for parents to communicate with their children in their mother tongue for proper understanding. Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja said most parents were more comfortable relating with their children in their mother tongue. Mr Nnamdi Okoro, a language teacher, […]

Some FCT residents have reiterated the need for parents to communicate with their children in their mother tongue for proper understanding.

Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja said most parents were more comfortable relating with their children in their mother tongue.

Mr Nnamdi Okoro, a language teacher, said he feels comfortable speaking his local dialect with his children rather than in English language.

According to him, mother tongue brings emotion and mental growth. It has positive impact in the formation of the individual thought, emotion, psychological behaviour and personality.

“Mother tongue is an indicator of cultural identity; a child connects to his parents, family, relatives, culture and history through it, hence the need for us as parents to teach our children.

“Personally, I am more comfortable speaking my dialect with my children as there is more understanding. Mother tongue provides the basis for learning other languages, so I encourage children to learn, Okoro said.

Mr Emmanuel Ehidiamhen, a civil servant, said parents should educate their children on the need to understand their dialects as it gives them sense of belonging.

“In educational linguistics circles, it is believed that mother tongue is more effective in learning, hence the need for it to be used as the medium of instruction in schools, Ehidiamhen said.

Mrs Funmike Ladipo, a civil servant, said she preferred speaking her local dialect to English because it is a form of identification.

“I prefer the mother tongue to English because that is where our identity comes from. At home I speak Yoruba to my kids and ensure that they respond to me in Yoruba.

“I try to balance the two (English and Yoruba) making sure that at home they speak Yoruba but at school they are free to speak English,” Funmike said.

Chinenye Okafor, a civil servant, however said she was indifferent on the subject matter, adding that she used both her local dialect and English interchangeably depending on the occasion.

“I won’t lie I love Igbo language so much, but it is not every time that I speak it. I speak it when I am in a `joint’ with my fellow Igbo friends but when I am at work; I hardly speak my language because I like to keep it professional,” Chinenye said.

Chinenye said she speaks Igbo to her children occasionally.

“Like I said earlier, I am indifferent on the subject matter. I love both English and Igbo. When growing up all I wanted to speak was English, but my parents didn’t let me.

“I love English because of its simplicity, and you can deliver your message better and clearer. I am not the typical Nigerian parent that will deem it fit to make sure my children speak their language.” (NAN)