SIR: Language is a marker of ethnic identity as well as the mediator of cultural, symbolic and material resources. Every language, according to UNESCO (2003), “is a unique expression of the human experience of the world,” thus, “the knowledge of any single language may be the key to answering fundamental questions of the future.’’ The collective and individual identity, dignity, and power are bound up in the social stature of a group’s “mother tongue.”
Thus, every language has an inherent value which neither depends on the status a state or the society assigns to it, nor on the number of its speakers. The linguistic and cultural diversity is an added advantage to society. Citizens of such countries have access to more varied knowledge, ideas, and cosmo-visions than those in countries with few languages and cultures.
If that is true, then Nigeria must begin to consider her multilingual status as a source of cultural enrichment that must be maintained and preserved. Her rich linguistic resources need to be harnessed for knowledge economy and development.
Unfortunately, many Nigerian languages are presently threatened with extinction due to their utter neglect by both the government and the society at large. As a highly multilingual and multiethnic country, Nigeria needs to uphold the dual status to ensure that the rights of her citizens are respected and to guarantee democracy.
However, participatory democracy entails making every citizen count, and this is enhanced if there is a free flow of information between the government and the governed. For this to become feasible in Nigeria, recognising the indigenous languages by upholding linguistic pluralism is indispensable.
Upholding linguistic pluralism in Nigeria is fundamental to achieving the democratic principles, while democracy is itself a tool for guaranteeing linguistic pluralism. The link between democracy and the development of African languages cannot be overemphasised. This is to say that democracy is essential for the equal development of African languages, and African languages are vital for the development of democracy based on equality and social justice.
The power of language in ensuring participatory democracy should not be underestimated. Equality and fairness are essential principles in building shared societies, and they cannot exist where there is discrimination, marginalisation and lack of opportunity for all.
When a people’s language is not recognised by the government, the speakers are invariably denied the right to participate fully in the national life, including in politics, legal system, education and even the ability to function optimally in the modern world – in so far as they are unable to articulate themselves in the preferred language of governance. Besides, social justice demands a fair hearing, especially when there is a conflict.
The journey to a democratic and an egalitarian society is not an easy one. While the Nigerian governments continue to pursue policies that would move the country forward in the areas of science, technology and material development, they should never forget that inclusion is both a necessity for and a means of achieving development.
However, language rights are central to inclusion. Any policy that makes a segment of the society feel a sense of alienation cannot be anything but unwholesome. Since Nigeria is a highly multilingual nation, it is important that the government recognises the roles of the indigenous languages, both in human and material development.
These languages need to be promoted so that those who speak them, whether they are few or many, would feel at home in the country, contribute their quotas to national development and live the life that they desire.
Hence, there is a need for the Nigerian government to standardise and increase the status of the numerous indigenous languages because this would help to uplift the speakers and give them both a voice and a place in the ever- increasing competitive society.
In view of that, using and promoting most of these languages in key areas, especially in education and the media, are paramount to increasing their status, usability and sustainability.
Since many languages are involved, it is obvious that all of them cannot receive attention at the same time. That would definitely be unthinkable. However, what is important is that there is a need to start somewhere. A starting point might be to start implementing the existing language policy on education and, from there, to extend the use of the indigenous languages beyond the lower primary school.
•Felix Oladeji,
Lagos