The following column from the Yaoundé paper, Cameroon Tribune, was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200702220371.html ... DZO
Cameroon: Mother Tongue - Indispensable Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé) http://www.cameroon-tribune.net COLUMN February 22, 2007 Posted to the web February 22, 2007 Lukong Pius Nyuylime The universal values that hitherto stand at the forefront of unity and cohesion of the world's society are linguistic and cultural diversity. This is the driving force behind the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s decision eight years ago to institute the International Mother Language Day. Yesterday therefore, the international community celebrated the eighth edition of the day under the theme, "linkages between mother tongue and multilingualism". In his message to the world on the occasion, UNESCO's Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, launched a clarion call for "national and regional language strategies to be promoted in such a way as to build a harmonious environment for all the languages of the world". In the same vein, the African Union which considers languages to be one of the pillars of African integration, is endeavouring to implement a regional language management plan designed to harmonize both the local and global languages for the interest of all. In effect, the problem with mother tongues is that thousands of the world's 6,000 languages are absent from the public arena and 50 per cent are in danger of extinction. Who, on earth would want his language to disappear from the world's linguistic map? This occupies the minds of many and is considered an impediment to all efforts at choosing certain mother languages as national languages in most countries of the World. This, of course is not abnormal considering that language occupies central position in cultural identity. There is no culture without a language, as well as there is no language without a culture. In Cameroon, authorities have not seen things differently. The plan, though long overdue, to select some mother tongues and make them national languages in the country have since met with stiff resistance. Which of the languages should be selected from the over 200 local languages spoken in the country? By selecting such a language, does this imply killing the others? Language experts of the National Association of Cameroon Language Committees are completely against the idea of allowing any language to collapse. "Each Cameroonian should contribute in developing his mother tongue", they say. Many are already doing that by teaching them in schools in their area. But proponents of globalisation see things rather differently. Where is the place of local languages in this era of globalisation, is the question they have been asking. Where do our children take the mother tongue to when many leave for foreign countries for education? They disagree with the assertion that we learn better in our mother tongue. In 1998 this school of thought, pushed Californian voters to impose English as the state's sole language in publicly funded schools despite opposition from a coalition of civil liberties organisations. The outrageous reactions that decisions concerning language have always stirred up show the importance of language as a cultural identity. And if language should be so important as to raised so much dust, how do we stand to discard it. Opponents of globalisation cannot understand this. But who says mother tongue cannot break through the globalisation vicious circle? Ask the Asian countries and they would tell you how they have taken their local languages up the stage of globalisation. China and Japan have nothing to envy from English and French! Well, if they do, it is simply to fulfil the adage that any additional language learned is additional advantage. So, the issue may not be choosing between globalisation and cultural identity, for, we can still sail into the former while maintaining the latter. Copyright © 2007 Cameroon Tribune. All rights reserved. Siège : Route de l'aéroport, BP : 1218 Yaoundé, Cameroun (+237) 230-41-47/230-36-89/230-41-48 [EMAIL PROTECTED] **************************** Disclaimer ****************************** Copyright: In accordance with Title 17, United States Code Section 107, this material is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material posted to this list for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Content: The sender does not vouch for the veracity nor the accuracy of the contents of this message, which are the sole responsibility of the copyright owner. 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