African Languages worth saving ?
We live in a global village where we move a lot, travel a lot and rely on almost standardized knowledge, does it really matter what 
language we use to interact with each other and to convey our thoughts? In a world where the reality of colonialism cannot be ignored can the claim to loss of heritage in our disappearing mother languages really be worth mentioning. After losing a significant part of our cultures through the integration of colonial ones can the language fight be one that is irrelevant and doomed to fail? Looking at most African countries today we will find little or no remnants at all of our long lost cultures, in dressing, food, mannerisms, religious rites and traditions, why then is language such a big debate. Why do people attempt to salvage what is left of a battle seemingly already lost. Can one really get away with an inability to speaking in English, French, Portuguese Italian or one of the other major international languages?
Given such a topic I sought for opinions from several friends of mine, Kuda seemed to say “our languages uphold our unique identities and different cultures in the wake of globalization they serve to remind us who we are, they may not be important to save but they are an integral part of our lives.” Mahesa went on to say they form a way for one to be identified even if they are multi lingual. The debate my go on but on one extreme the same thing that resonated was that of culture and heritage and how they serve as an identity.
“Our languages uphold our unique identities and different cultures in the wake of globalization they serve to remind us who we are, they may not be important to save but they are an integral part of our lives.”
On the other extreme Gerry seemed to say that they may not be powerful enough to earn a place in industry and the technological scene, this may in essence be true considering how most inventions and technological advancements occurred, were groomed and developed in languages foreign to those Africa. Dionne’s opinion was that language is purely for communication and the option of which to use depends on the two parties involved. Be that as it may this takes us back to the debate on whether or not they are worth saving. Is it worth the effort when they still need to catch up to those that dominate? Is there sufficient funding for such an undertaking? Nut most of all what will we achieve in an attempt to sustain this aspect of our beings.
“Dying or still alive is up to an individual, I say they are useless in the modern world but very sacred traditionally”
“Dying or still alive is up to an individual, I say they are useless in the modern world but very sacred traditionally” is how Bathini summed it up putting emphasis on how it may only be traditionalists that maintain the value of traditional African languages. Can an African person be termed enslaved because they pride in proficiency in a colonial language over their mother tongue?
I suppose given the turnout of society your language is immaterial and we can only be defined by the values we embrace and the meaning we bring to life. As the international boundaries that separate us slowly disappear refusing to adapt lives room for those that understand that survival is indeed for the fittest…………….. Food for thought, and in the end my good friend Garry said “Money will set the linguistic tone of the day”
“Money will set the linguistic tone of the day”
- Terminology: Are African Languages Doomed? by Charles Tiayon (metaglossia.wordpress.com)
- Feature image taken from http://www.phombo.com/nature/africa-nature-1920×1440-hd-wallpapers-pack-1/661252/full/
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My life in shades of grey 
mzukuru une chipo chekunyora chaizvo zvisinei hazvo ndofunga kuti mitauro yedu yemu afirika yakakodzera kuti tirambe takabatirira pairi nekuti unongo ziva wani kuti nyaya dzinonakidza mururimi rwamai….
lmao tete ava
If as a continent, i.e. Africa we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals we cannot afford to ignore each citizen’s language.
how far can they really go
Dt maak deel uit van wie ek is x trots Afrikaans spreukend
lol interpret
This question has been like a torch unto my feet, it addresses many facets of our very existence as a people, as Africans. Who we are contrasted with what we know, which is the better of the two? Development economists are scratching their heads and buttocks trying to develop policies that will get the man of colour out of the consumer mentality and shift to a producer paradigm. What has been neglected is the development of our African languages to adapt to this dynamic world and what great feat can we expect to accomplish when our medium of communication is inadequate? We can start by naming things in this modern world in our native tounges which would require re-educating the populace, which would in turn obliterate our fiscus and leave us wanting. These things cost money and as said before, “money will set the linguistic tone of the day”
The great thing about Language is, it’s something natural. It’s part of our roots. We were all born with it, and communicate our languages in different ways. The cry of a baby is his language; the cough of a child/someone is telling you something; quietness- it all tells you something. Whether language is verbal or non-verbal- it stays something great. Unique! I’m always wondering, why do we find it so difficult in our country to understand each other? Is it really a language barrier or is it attitude?
Wena mthanami..Kumele sikhulume ulimi lwethu isikhathi sonke ukuze singakhohlwa lapho esivela khona…Ukufunda kwakho sokuku phambanisa inqondo…else dude good…lots of love mwahhhhh..ndichakurambisa..lolest
This is very deep and an issue that we as a young generation never really invest our time in,because we are living in an era where if 1 doesn’t know how to speak english or even speak it with not the “right” accent are seen as dumb.We are also to a certain extent not as pround of our African languages as we should be and invest a lot of time even money in learning western languages just to be part of the crowd.I love the way you laid it all out and its an extemely important issue:)
I do think that this is a deep issue and yes it should be saved so that the generation of today wont forget their back ground or heritage, and this is a very important part of any stable foundation.
I believe african languages are still worth saving coz they identify who we are and we must be proud of our heritage! International languages can be used for communication only, but let us remember who we are and where we come from.