This column from the Gaborone daily Mmegi/The Reporter was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200607010148.html . This story of a high government official who does not speak an African language fluently reminds me of a story of people in central/eastern Niger laughing at the poor Hausa of some politicians... DZO
Botswana: Linguistic Foibles of a President-in-Waiting Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone) http://www.mmegi.bw/ ANALYSIS June 30, 2006 Posted to the web July 1, 2006 Tshireletso Motlogelwa It was bound to happen. Vice President and ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairman Ian Khama was speaking at the launch of his party's council candidate for the recent Tshwane/Dutlwe by-election when he encountered his usual nemesis - Setswana. Once again, the president-in-waiting renewed his acquaintance with the old enemy and butchered his way through with inadequate vocabulary and minced pronunciations. Holding the microphone in his hand, and with the crowd before him, he had no option but to negotiate his way through the maze that is Setswana pronunciation and vocabulary. He muddled through, grabbing onto a word of English for assistance every now and then. It is certain that when he succeeds President Festus Mogae, he might find himself in a linguistic deep end because he would be expected to make many Setswana speeches and engage with the common folk in idle banter in the national language. Hence Botswana is just about to get a president who cannot speak any of its indigenous languages properly and as a consequence, may not have the ability to appreciate the cultural space within which his political power would be located, nor the nuances that make up a Motswana's social existence. But perhaps there may be lit tle cause for alarm because of the changing times. Language expert Kgomotso Mogapi argues that there is a general disinterest in Setswana by many citizens. "People in leadership position show the same lack of respect for their languages as the general populace. They look down upon Setswana. To them it is a language that is not chic, cool or modern enough. For someone to be seen to be up to date, they need to speak English or any Western language," he argues. This is surprising, he says, because other cultures in the sub-continent have pride in their languages. "In South Africa, you won't find a Zulu preferring English over his/her language. They speak their language with pride. Perhaps it may be that other countries take their language a little bit more seriously." In countries like Holland, every foreigner who wishes to naturalise has to go through a Dutch language test. Only those who pass can be granted citizenship. Perhaps the Dutch believe that it is only through learni ng their language that newcomers can get to appreciate and be integrated into their national culture. Old Naledi shoe cobbler Lemogang Motsamai thinks it would not be a very good idea to have a president who cannot speak Setswana let alone any other indigenous language. "If the French President could not communicate in French, it would be disastrous," he explains. He has seen Setswana lose favour with each generation of Botswana leaders. He says the whole 'language thing' reached crisis levels when the former President Ketumile Masire was succeeded by Mogae. "Masire used to speak Setswana well. The fact that he spoke the language so well meant that he had the ability to relate with an ordinary Motswana's point of view," he argues. Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiongo says culture and language are inseparable. "Language is a means of communication and a carrier of culture . . . Language carries culture, and culture carries, particularly through orature and literature, the entire bo dy of values by which we perceive ourselves and our place in the world. . . . Language is thus inseparable from ourselves as a community of human beings with a specific form and character, a specific history, a specific relationship to the world," he writes in his book Decolonising The Mind. In culture it is the little nuances that are meaningful. Without a full grasp of the language, one cannot fully appreciate culture. There is a running legend that many people like to use to poke fun at Khama's lack of knowledge of Setswana language and culture. It is said that once a man facing marital problems came to him for mediation. In the usual rich Setswana language, he is said to have told Khama - the Bamangawato paramount chief that: "Mosadi o gana ka dikobo. (My wife won't share our blankets with me)". It is said that Khama was mystified. "Why don't you buy your own blankets," he is said to have asked having missed what the man really meant; that he was being deprived of conjug al rights. This incident may not have taken place but the import is apparent. If language constructs and interprets social reality as some schools of linguists argue, then Khama's inability to grasp the language may not help him understand the country. However with Mogae as president, "English is the language for every occasion. But, at least Mogae speaks functional Setswana. Khama cannot speak Setswana at all," Motsamai argues. His friend Kabelo Sekgwame says that it may turn out to be very embarrassing for Batswana to have a president who cannot speak their language properly. "The fact that he cannot speak Setswana may indicate that he never really bothered about learning about Batswana until recently when he became a political figure. Otherwise he would be able to speak the language by now," he says. Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane says Setswana as well as other indigenous languages is in danger of being driven to the periphery communication. "Parents do not help their children learn their languages properly. You won't hear them correct their children as many times when their children get Setswana wrong, as when the same happens for English," he says. Although he would not speak about Khama, he says leaders always show reluctance to use indigenous languages. "They are quick to use English even when they are addressing people who have no understanding of the language at all," he says. However Kgosi Kgari of Bakwena finds nothing wrong with the VP's Setswana problems because whenever Khama speaks to people in Kgotla meetings, they manage to understand him. "That is all that matters, the fact that they can understand him," he argues. However the language issue may not be over with Khama yet. "It is not a matter of him having to be an expert in the language but for him to occupy such office. I think he should have a better grasp of the language. People may have the patience to work out what he is trying to say now, but it will not look g ood when foreigners realise that our president cannot speak any local language," maintains Sekgwame. Bakwena elder statesman Julius Bodigelo thinks it is insulting to have a president who does not speak the national language. "Motho yoo ga a itse setswana le go se kwala ga ke bone gore o itse go se kwala. O gaisiwa ke Malebogo wa mo-Amerika yo ke neng ke mmona maloba mo Btv. Legale ka ke kgosi ya ga Mmangwato o tla tolokolelwa." Bodigelo said it would be a mockery if Khama were to move into the State House and he does nothing with his faltering Setswana. "Go tshwaana fela le fa re ka ya go tsaya Leburu gore le tle le re buse," Bodigelo said consistent with Setswana tradition, language is not the only issue that he has with Khama. "Traditionally, a leader should be married. We expect Khama to wed before he becomes president," he says. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Great things are happening at Yahoo! Groups. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/TISQkA/hOaOAA/yQLSAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! 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