Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently emphasized the importance of learning and preserving native languages during his address at the coronation of Tooro Kingdom's new King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo. However, a blogger, Nanteza Sarah Kyobe, has highlighted a contradiction in the country's education system, where children are often discouraged or punished for speaking their native languages in schools. This issue has sparked a national conversation about the value placed on native languages and the message being sent to the next generation.
Nanteza Sarah Kyobe shared her personal experience of being punished for speaking Luganda, her mother tongue, during her primary and secondary school years. She recalled wearing a sack or a bone as punishment and receiving beatings or being forced to dig on Fridays. Kyobe's experience is not unique, as many Ugandans have shared similar stories of being discouraged from speaking their native languages in schools. This has led to concerns about the long-term impact on the country's linguistic diversity.
The issue is not limited to Luganda, as many Ugandan languages are affected, including Runyankore, Rutooro, Acholi, Lusoga, and Lumasaba. The problem lies in the status accorded to English, which is often associated with education, superiority, and social status, while speaking a native language is sometimes seen as a sign of lower education. This attitude has consequences, as children prioritize English over their mother tongues, leading to a decline in the use and appreciation of native languages.
Kyobe's experience with her own child also highlights the issue. Her child was accused of speaking Luganda in school, and when Kyobe spoke to the headmistress, she was told that the child had used words like "Ndeeka," "Nvaako," and "Ngenda." Kyobe was surprised, as her child had only just started talking, and she wondered which Luganda her child could have been speaking. The conversation ended with the headmistress remaining silent, leaving Kyobe to ponder the implications of this attitude on the preservation of native languages.
The importance of preserving native languages cannot be overstated. A mother tongue connects children to their families, communities, and culture, carrying stories, traditions, and history from one generation to another. Language preservation starts at home, with parents and grandparents speaking these languages to children, telling traditional stories, and passing on cultural knowledge. Communities and schools should also reinforce this effort, rather than discouraging it.
The responsibility for preserving native languages does not rest solely with cultural institutions, as the president suggested. While kingdoms and cultural institutions can play a significant role, it is essential to involve parents, communities, and schools in this effort. This can be achieved by promoting the use of native languages in education and encouraging children to speak their mother tongues without fear of punishment or ridicule.
Ultimately, preserving native languages requires a change in attitude and approach. English remains important for education, employment, and communication, but learning English should not come at the expense of a child's mother tongue. A strong foundation in a child's first language can support communication, thinking, and learning, and language is a vital part of identity, memory, and culture.
Key points
- Schools in Uganda are accused of punishing children for speaking their native languages, contributing to the decline of linguistic diversity in the country.
- The status accorded to English in Uganda has led to a perception that speaking a native language is a sign of lower education or social status.
- Preserving native languages requires a concerted effort from parents, communities, schools, and cultural institutions to promote the use of these languages in education and daily life.
