We lose out when we don’t tap into the wealth of our mother tongues

This image taken on October 27, 2011 at Sangach Primary School in Marakwet East Consistency, indicates that the use of mother tongue is not entertained. We can ignore mother tongue and let it whither, but it remains a part of who we are. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mother tongue should be appreciated for being part of our identity and for creating our communities.
  • The level of understanding of our own culture is also more profound in mother tongue than any other language.

Have you ever used your mother tongue in the work place to discuss proposals or make important recommendations?

According to the United Nations, approximately 7,000 languages are spoken in the world.

More than 50 per cent of these languages are likely to die within a few generations.

Many young people in Kenya can speak English and Swahili but not the language their grandparents used.

How do you understand and connect with your history at a personal level? Does it even really matter for this generation?

COMMUNICATION
What is the purpose of a language anyway?

By the very nature of being human we crave a connection with our fellow human beings.

One of the unique ways we are gifted in making this human connection is through languages.

In the absence of a language we would still have gestures to express ourselves but they do not quite articulate our communication as well as a language.

There is also room for misinterpretation or miscommunication with exclusive use of gestures.

This is not to be misconstrued with sign language, which is a language in its right.

ENGLISH
The principle purpose of a language is to facilitate our communication.

Through language we understand each other and form that connection, which was otherwise absent.

Language is intrinsic to being human. We exchange ideas, our fears, celebrations, trade and share inventions.

Didn’t our forefathers and even more recently our grandparents do all these in their mother tongue?

So why are we swiftly abandoning an intrinsic part of ourselves?

It cannot be denied that English remains the global business language.

GLOBAL VILLAGE

It permeates every aspect of our lives from the day we are born.

With globalisation, English has entrenched itself in our lives as we need it to meet our communication needs.

As part of this global village, both as a beneficiary and a contributor, English has aided economic progress and collaboration with between countries.

We have appreciated other cultures and connected with our fellow villagers thousands of miles away through technology and those who come to behold our country’s beauty.

Though we have this common language, we remain vastly different.

We have a mother tongue, but what is its purpose? Pragmatism says it has lost its place in today’s modern society.

IDENTITY

Is this truly the case? It is unfair to consider mother tongue in monetary value.

That it is only beneficial if it’s used in transactional communication.

Mother tongue should be appreciated for being part of our identity and for creating our communities.

Our middle and surnames are in our mother tongue.

The irony is we have a young generation that bears these names but only speak English and Swahili.

Should we really bear what we do not identify with?

It is rather difficult to appreciate the richness and history of your language if you do not speak it.

APPRECIATION

Consequently, we are now witnessing a generation that does not treat their language with the deserved esteem.

Some dialects are now a butt of jokes, memes and parodies.

Meanwhile, Hollywood will seek out that same language and appropriate it for a blockbuster movie and the BBC will launch a Pidgin Worldwide service.

Can we then call out anyone for cultural appropriation?

The level of understanding of our own culture is also more profound in mother tongue than any other language.

Without being biased, and using a Kiswahili song as an example, ‘Tena naandika huu wimbo, usijipe moyo labda nakufikiria, nataka iwe fimbo, mwenye sura ya choyo ukome kunifuatilia!’ Harmonise — "Nishachoka" ( I am tired).

The choice of words, understanding of the intended effect and impact of these lyrics can only be fully appreciated if you speak the language.

MUSIC

It is evident mother tongue is incomparable. You can never quite express yourself as profoundly in your second language.

Inevitably, our language appreciation through music contributes towards the economy through downloads, album sales and concerts.

We should no longer pigeonhole mother tongue as having its place in the church, ceremonies and, rather conveniently, during the political campaign season.

We can ignore mother tongue and let it whither, but it remains a part of who we are.

Before it’s too late, and the next generation goes to the archives to learn their mother tongue, it’s time we reintegrated this language into our daily interactions.

The writer works with international businesses on commercial litigation. [email protected]