Unshackling Minds: Mother Tongue Education as a Path to African Renaissance

 

"The coloniser who governed the country did so through the exclusive use of their language, just as they exclusively used their own currency to run the economy, under the exclusive guard of their own army. Colonisation is thus a comprehensive governance system where language policy, far from being innocent, occupies a prominent place in the domination of a community or nation. Conversely, Africans should realise that in the process of emancipating their continent, these mother tongues will take the same central place... and draw all the consequences!"  ~Cheikh Anta Diop

 

Language and Colonisation: A Tool of Domination

More than six decades after gaining independence, many African nations remain heavily influenced by the languages of their former colonizers—English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. These foreign languages remain the official languages of governance, law, education, and economic affairs, despite being mastered by only a minority. Meanwhile, African languages—spoken by the majority—are marginalised, confined to informal settings like streets, markets, and rural communities. 

The Language Gap: A Barrier to Progress

How can meaningful economic, social, cultural, or intellectual development occur when the majority of citizens cannot understand or participate in critical national affairs? Is it not clear that the language used in governance and education directly influences a nation’s progress? 

Linguistic Unity: A Catalyst for National Cohesion and Identity in Africa

Fortunately, several African countries demonstrate the power of linguistic unity through the adoption of national languages. Ethiopia, which has maintained its cultural and linguistic identity without the legacy of colonial rule, stands as an example, alongside nations in East and Southern Africa like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In these countries, African languages such as Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, and Kiswahili foster national cohesion and advancement. 

Moreover, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved away from French as the official language, reflecting a shift towards embracing national identity. 

Cheikh Anta Diop: Visionary of African Linguistic Emancipation

Cheikh Anta Diop (1923-1986), known as the “Pharaoh of Knowledge,” was a pioneering Senegalese historian, anthropologist, Egyptologist, and physicist. From his early years, he was passionate about African languages, even inventing his own alphabet as a high school student. 

In his seminal work, "Negro Nations and Culture: From Ancient Black Egyptian Antiquity to the Cultural Problems of Today's Black Africa", Diop scientifically demonstrated the kinship between African languages and ancient Egyptian, proving their capacity to express complex ideas, from mathematics to poetry. Throughout his life, Diop's linguistic research debunked claims that dismissed the value of African languages and denied their ancient Egyptian origins. 

Empowering Development through Multilingual Governance and Education

In "Black Africa: The Economic and Cultural Basis for a Federated State", Cheikh Anta Diop advocated for a development policy that includes African languages in education and administration. He rejected the notion of a single African language, instead proposing that modern African languages be adopted for governance and education, with indigenous languages serving specific regions. 

He stressed that literacy in national languages is crucial for enabling individuals to contribute meaningfully to national development. 

The Power of Mother Tongue Education: Boosting Confidence and Cognitive Growth

Today’s education systems often discourage the use of mother tongues, leading to a decline in self-esteem among children who are penalised for speaking their native languages. Cheikh Anta Diop argued that children learn more efficiently in their mother tongues. He cited evidence that African children take six years to understand certain concepts in a foreign language but learn them much faster in their native languages. 

Studies consistently show that early education in a child’s native language enhances comprehension and cognitive development. 

Debunking Myths: The Versatility of African Languages in Modern Education

Some critics argue that African languages are unsuitable for teaching modern scientific or economic concepts due to their linguistic diversity and the lack of a written alphabet. However, in his book "Negro Nations and Culture: From Ancient Black Egyptian Antiquity to the Cultural Problems of Today's Black Africa", Cheikh Anta Diop effectively refuted this claim by translating complex scientific principles, including the theory of relativity, into Wolof, demonstrating the language's ability to express advanced concepts. 

He also pointed to the translation of the Bible, a voluminous document, into numerous African languages as evidence of their capacity to convey intricate ideas. Furthermore, his contributions to the study of Wolof and Serer grammar highlighted the richness and adaptability of African languages. 

Cultural Identity and Economic Growth: Lessons from Korea and Vietnam

Korea, both North and South, has deep-rooted connections with Chinese culture, particularly in the historical use of Classical Chinese for official documents and scholarly communication. In the 15th century, King Sejong the Great introduced Hangul, the Korean alphabet, as a transformative measure to enhance literacy among the general population. The existing writing system, based on Classical Chinese characters, proved intricate and challenging, especially for those without a background in classical studies. The creation of Hangul represented a pivotal advancement, establishing a writing system uniquely tailored to reflect and serve the Korean language itself. 

Similarly, Vietnam, like many African countries, was a French colony. After gaining independence, the Vietnamese government decided to replace French with Vietnamese as the official language. Additionally, they adopted the Latin-based alphabet, known as the Vietnamese alphabet or Quốc Ngữ, replacing the previous system based on Chinese characters. 

Today, Vietnamese is the official language, and the Latin-based alphabet is widely used in Vietnam, emphasising the efforts made by the country to establish its cultural and linguistic identity post-independence. 

Both Korea and Vietnam have experienced notable technological and economic advancements, reflecting their successful cultural and linguistic adaptations. 

Preserving Cultural Identity through Mother Tongue Education

To effectively pass on societal values, education must be rooted in languages deeply embedded in local cultures. Foreign languages often fail to convey the nuances and complexities of African cultural values. 

Prioritising mother tongue education ensures that future generations understand and embrace their heritage, preserving cultural identity and societal values. 

Mother tongues are not merely communication tools but carriers of identity, wisdom, and cultural continuity. 

Our Commitment to Mother Tongue Education: A Journey Since 2008

Since 2008, we have been dedicated to advancing education for underserved children through our initiative, "Bringing Education to the Doorsteps." This project began by offering literacy classes directly at the camps of unschooled child beggars in Lagos State, reaching over 200 children, including many girls (55%) and those with physical or severe learning disabilities. These classes were conducted in Hausa, their native language, and English, addressing their immediate educational needs while respecting their cultural backgrounds. 

On February 21, 2020, in honour of International Mother Language Day, we released an impactful video advocating for the educational rights of all African children who face marginalisation—whether they are out of school, from nomadic or minority communities, refugees, or former child soldiers. This video calls for inclusive education in mother tongues, ensuring that every child has access to learning in a language that honours their cultural identity. 

The Mother Tongue Education video also highlights a valuable collection of works by African scholars and experts, offering insights and guidelines for incorporating African languages into educational systems. Visit our YouTube channel to explore these resources and join us in championing mother tongue education as a cornerstone for cultural preservation and development. 

Embracing African Languages: A Pathway to Identity, Unity, and Progress

As we commemorate International Mother Language Day, let us reflect on the powerful role of language in shaping identity, unity, and progress. It is time to embrace African languages, not only as a means of communication but as foundations for economic, social, and cultural advancement. 

“No nation has emerged from underdevelopment through the government's use of a foreign language, unless the process of acculturation has become irreversible. Are Africans different from others in this regard?” ~ Cheikh Anta Diop 

Bunmi Awoyinfa
HOM

House of Mercy Children's Home Lagos, Nigeria (HOM) is a grassroots NGO dedicated to tackling critical issues such as child hunger, child poverty, child homelessness, child illiteracy, and child protection, while also providing emergency aid to children in crisis across Africa