By Josiah Egbilika
Considering the decline in our indigenous languages, it has become of immense imperative to draw attention to the neglect of our indigenous languages.
This is necessitated because the neglect of our languages has resulted to the abuse and false assumption that our indigenous languages are insufficient to national development, peace building and reconciliation. It is worthy of note that no good development can be achieved without communication. A good communication system is a facet to a better development in any region. No matter the tribe, race, belief or people, communicating the precepts and processes for better understanding and follow up is imperative. This is made possible through language.
As a matter of truth not just fact, the place of language in human development can never be undermined. It plays a major role in virtually every human endeavour. It relays the essence of human existence, stores our artefacts and transports age long histories to future generations.
Language defined as a means of communication imbibes in it our cultural existence. In language, we express our being, emotions, dynamics, and all that makes us who we are. A journey without language is a journey not began at all. This is because language is seen across all aspect of life: technology, social, economics, politics, development, in conflict and its resolution. Language is used everywhere: in market places, schools, offices, national and international meetings, local discuss, sports, agitations, socio-interactions; there is not one place language cannot be seen or noticed.
As a means of communication, language presents itself in visibly two forms: verbal and non-verbal. Non-verbal incorporates all forms which are not speech related but communicates a message to an individual or group of individuals. They include signs, symbols, prints in all forms (magazine, newspapers, billboards, pamphlets and copy-writing). Verbal incorporates in it all speech related forms, this is seen in dramas, music, verbal discussion; it has in it the production of sounds from the vocal cord.
The verbal language is known for its dynamism, having different forms in different geographical locations. This change has been accorded in the linguistic field as dialects-different forms of a language. These dialects are known to be indigenous languages. An indigenous language is that spoken in a locality. It is the language of a community. And its role in the communication process of a community is held at a high esteemed.
Through the indigenous languages, messages are passed from one generation to the other, cultures of a particular place are preserved, belief systems and of course peaceful existence are held on. Beyond the aspect of unity, our indigenous languages show how a rich linguistic tourism site we are. It imbeds in us a diversity in nature that creates reasons of exploring the true nature of language.
But unfortunately, over the years there have been neglect to our indigenous languages. It is hardly spoken and transferred, abused and alienated to the background. The most reason for this is that it is not economically relevant as its counterpart-a misconception which is not true. This has resulted to the threatening of our languages to extinction if nothing is done.
Research has shown that Nigeria is endowed with about 600 languages and more than 1200 dialects. Of these languages and dialects, it is saddened to note that none in the next 3 to 4 generations will survive if precautions and preventive measures are not taken.
It is in this view I call for attention to be given to the development of our indigenous languages in all aspect. Our languages carry the power to build a peaceful national. Through the indigenous language of a particular location, direct and appropriate information is given.
With our indigenous languages, ambiguity of understanding is wiped out, different meaning implications will never be seen. In fact, it creates better association, friendliness and acceptance communicating with the indigenous languages.
Conflicts can be resolved, settled and peace sustained. It has the capability of uniting the individual hearts to appreciate national strata. It gives a nation a special brand. And as a country with diverse languages, it becomes a tourist site for language scholars who have over the years come into the country to study a particular language in the nation.
Article written by Josiah Egbilika , a Language Advocate from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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