You can still be ‘smart’ and speak your mother tongue

By Waithera Wanjiru

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22- The international Mother Language Day is marked worldwide, since its proclamation in 1999 by the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In Kenya, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2019 profiled eight languages that have been on the verge of extinction, with some completely dead.

This include the Ogiek Language. This day is meant to bring solidarity in promotion of cultural traditions.

With globalization, Kenya incorporated the use of Mother Language in Schools. A trend on the rise since 2019.

In 2020 Kenya’s Celebrated Writer, Activist and Playwright, Prof Ngugi Wa Thiong’o delivered his keynote acceptance speech for an Award by the Catalonian Government, in his Defence for African Culture in literature. Prof.Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s use of Kikuyu, his mother language in the prestigious award ceremony ignited a debate on the use of Mother languages with globalization.

While this day remains unknown to many, the International Mother Language day is not only a proclaimed day by  UNICEF, but an affirmation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19, on the Freedoms and Right to expression.

“Whichever medium, let people speak courage fluently,” says Irungu Houghton of Amnesty International Kenya, on the importance of this day.

A notable shift in expression and acceptance for language as the driver for culture in creating sustainable communities, has been on the rise ahead of the International Mother Language day in 2021.

With deliberate actions on the rise to understand and know mother language and culture, cultural Activists in Kenya have taken the initiative to research and commune in understanding and unearthing the code that is in language.

Culturalist Patrick Mwaura notes that it is acceptable, that people should express themselves to Global audiences without limitations in place.

“The Germans and the French people, speak to the global audience in their mother tongue. It is for the world to translate and embrace Diversity,” Mwaura says.

For example, 31 year old Judy Sakala grew up in Eldama Ravine. Both her mother and father spoke in English or Swahili.

As a result, Sakala did not get to learn her Ogiek language since by the time, Eldama Ravine was cosmopolitan. Her father did not have anyone to speak to in the Ogiek langauge.

This partly informed her decision to work with the Ogiek People.

“We fight for our rights to identity and recognition secondly, we are trying to work on our language and culture preservation,” Sakala Says.

Simon Kairu at 23, like Judy, does not express himself in his mother language, but has since found the need to self educate.

“I think mother tongues really matter because it  gives you a that sense of belonging. For me it has been really hard especially during family gatherings.  I can’t communicate to some of my relatives who cant speak Swahili or English. I really want to know my mother tongue and probably pass it down to my children,” he says.

But perhaps, what is the impact of Mother Language use in schools, in an attempt to preserve culture and its normative in the promotion of diversity.

Munyao Kilolo a former Managing Editor at Jalada Africa, conceptualized a translation of Prof. Ngugi Wa Thiong’s – The Upright Revolution into 96 African languages.

Kilolo says that there are many creative people in different parts of this country who do not have advanced education offered primarily in European languages.

He observes that learners, possess linguistic capabilities in their mother tongues which if expanded, then they can contribute their creative solutions with confidence.

“Those solutions will impact not only their immediate socio-economic status but also the larger countrywide economy. Everyone becomes activated to contribute,” adds Kilolo.

Arguably, while In some quarters, it is assumed that the use of mother tongue in schools cultivates division and creates obstacles to learning.

Nothing could be further from the truth. With a proper education policy that gives importance to education rooted in our first languages, Kenya can fully harness the power in mother languages in the learning process and in promotion of diversity in development.

Mother Language use for Kilolo has not been without personal growth.

“As an individual keen on living a multilingual life, I understand that I carry several identities, and that I both share and belong to several social groups. Living in a society that is strong in the mother languages strengthens my experience and recognition of diversity,” he says.

The author, Waithera Wanjiru, is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also a human advocate who participates in street demonstrations to fight for human rights.