Write an article for publication in a literary magazine on the need to promote the study of the indigenous languages of your country.
Explanation
THE NEED TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN NIGERIA.
It is a pity that Nigeria's indigenous languages have been relegated to the background over the years. Nigerian students are taught in English Language which is also regarded as the lingua franca of the country. This is not good enough. Though Nigeria has several indigenous languages, there is need to promote the study of these indigenous languages.
This is why the Federal Ministry of Education made it compulsory for every student to study at least one Nigerian language at the Senior Secondary School level. Even during the tenure of Professor Babs Fafunwa as the Minister of Education, it was canvassed that indigenous languages should be used to teach primary school students.
Languages are associated with culture and tradition of the people. Therefore, the adoption of another people's language as a medium of communication in Nigeria indicates that we have relegated our own culture and tradition to the background. This may also connote that we have not, as a country, thrown away every relic of colonization.
Indigenous languages, if promoted, can be the unifying factor in Nigeria. They promote peaceful co-existence and tolerance among the Nigerian people who will have a sense of belonging in the country. In addition, indigenous languages also promote understanding and appreciation of our own culture and tradition. Why do we have to promote the culture of a foreign country at the expense of our own?
The promotion and study of indigenous languages will also give us national identity. A language is always associated with a nation. So, if we promote and study our own indigenous languages, the world will identify us with these indigenous languages.
There are lots of benefits to gain from promoting our indigenous languages. The lingua franca which we have been clamouring for over the years will ultimately emerge if we can promote the study of these indigenous languages. Furthermore, the study of these languages will enable our children to be conversant with their mother tongues since thoughts and language can hardly be separated.
Finally, it is an established fact that a learner first thinks in the language of his environment, and this process of thinking enriches his experience about his immediate environment and culture. Hence, a thorough foundation must be i laid in the study of our indigenous languages in the country.
