In their bid to save their language from
extinction, the Yorubas have adopted many strategies that have yielded
effective results. These strategies include the establishment of a
newspaper in Yoruba language which has grown over the years to be one of
the best selling articles at any Lagos vendor's stand.
The
entrenchement of the Yoruba language as a medium for debate in all the
Yoruba Houses Of Assembly during some days of plenary. And the best
strategy being the will of Yoruba parents to raise their children with
the language.
In the Northern part of the country, most Hausas cant
speak English. I'm not saying it is best for them, but they love and
respect their language.
In Igboland, it is an entirely different
situation. To some, the language is now an abomination in the family.
Some even flog their children for speaking it.
Politicians now use
English for campaigns in Igboland(which can never happen elsewhere). Yet
we complain of our language facing extinction. Professor Chinua Achebe
was never raised with English Language at home, yet he won many awards
writing with the language.
Likewise Wole Soyinka, Ike Chukwuemeka and so
on. With the rate the speaking of Igbo language is being neglected, I
wonder if there will be anything like Igbo language in the next 50
years.
Maybe by then, we should be thinking of helping Oxford University
compile the English dictionary edition that will be published
then.
#Justpondering
