Dear Editor,
“Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy,
But lawd, yuh let me dung
Me shame a yuh so till all a
Me proudness drop a grung.”- No Lickle Twang by Louise Bennett Coverley.
The English Language was not the Mother Language on the African continent. The enslaved Africans were stripped of their dignity, including their language during the period of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The English Language was imposed upon them. As a result, for many in the African Diaspora, English Language is the language of oppression. The African Diaspora refers to the widespread dispersal of African peoples across the globe, particularly to the Americas and Europe, primarily as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The struggle is real and constant regarding language, especially our Mother Languages. With anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world’s languages. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language. It is actively used in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also in Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, and the Comoros.
Most people use Swahili as a lingua franca, meaning it facilitates communication among different ethnic groups with distinct native languages.
Each year the international community commemorates International Mother Language Day on February 21. This observance aims to promote the preservation and protection of all languages, especially those at risk of extinction. With over 40% of the world’s 6,000 to 7,000 languages vulnerable, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of linguistic diversity as a crucial part of cultural heritage.
This year’s theme is “Youth Voices on Multilingual Education”. The celebration underscores the importance of education systems that recognize and value every learner’s language to support inclusion and learning outcomes.
The Importance of Multilingual Education
Multilingualism is a fundamental part of human society, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of our world. Multilingualism, also known as polyglotism, refers to the ability of individuals or communities to communicate in multiple languages. People proficient in two languages are termed bilinguals, while those with proficiency in three languages are called trilinguals. The definition of multilingualism can vary, as not all multilingual individuals possess complete fluency in each language. Some may only have basic conversational skills, while others might understand a language without being able to speak it, known as receptive bilingualism.
Multilingual education, based on mother tongue instruction, is essential because it enables learners to be taught in the language they understand and speak best, resulting in better learning outcomes across a range of subjects including mathematics and science. Research shows that when children learn in their first language, they have better reading and comprehension skills, making it easier to learn additional languages. Multilingual education based on the mother tongue(s) in the early years of schooling also plays a key role in the transition from home to school and fosters respect for diversity. The classroom should be a safe space where our students feel secure and free to express themselves in their mother tongue. It is only by engendering such an inclusive culture that we can truly lay claim to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal #4, which addresses quality and inclusive education.
Protecting Linguistic Diversity
Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and planet. However, due to globalization processes, languages are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression valuable resources for ensuring a better future are also lost.
The linguistic landscape has undergone profound changes over the centuries, shaped by increased migration, rapid technological development, and growing recognition of the cognitive, social, and economic benefits of multilingualism. Today, multilingualism is increasingly understood not only as a social reality but as a fundamental human characteristic and a powerful educational approach.
Today’s youth play a vital role in this evolution by using their creativity as content creators to make linguistic diversity more visible and valued. These efforts reinforce the deep connection between language, identity, learning, well-being, and participation in society, while highlighting the need for education systems that recognize and support learners’ languages.
Linguistic Independence
The discourse surrounding mother tongue is especially important for Caribbean societies, where the legacies of enslavement and colonialism persist. Additionally, governments in the African Diaspora must urgently address the stronghold of mental slavery that afflicts our people.
To complete the process of full freedom, linguistic independence must be achieved.
At the same time, significant challenges remain, as 40% of learners worldwide still lack access to education in a language they understand best, with indigenous, migrant, and minority youth most affected. Addressing this gap requires education policies and practices that embed multilingual education at their core to promote inclusion, equity, and effective learning for all. By advancing concrete actions, sharing promising experiences, and fostering dialogue among young people, educators, and policymakers, global initiatives create spaces to exchange ideas and identify solutions that strengthen linguistic diversity in schools and communities worldwide.
On this International Mother Language Day, let us join the international community in advocating for more investment in language transmission by placing young people at the heart of the solutions. The youth are the future. As we observe this important day, let us remain humble and intentional in safeguarding linguistic diversity. Let us also remember that linguistic diversity is the bedrock for peace, dignity and inclusion.
Unu tek care a unuself, til lata. Mi gaan!
Let us reflect on the wise words of Nelson Mandela, if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.