Mum let's speak our Language

Photo credit: OnlineNigeria.Com

When I speak English to my boys I feel bad. Not because English is bad but because I should speak my own language to them.

It's an indictment on me and a lot of other Nigerian parents that our children do not speak in our native tongue and in some cases do not even understand it.

When I say something to my child in Igbo and he doesn't understand what I say I feel like a failure.

What I do now I should have started a long time ago. My son said to me once that it was my fault that he does not speak Igbo as well as he should. The truth is bitter.

I took it for granted that my children would learn my language from hubby and I since we spoke it all the time.

Now I'm making extra efforts to ensure that they do not only understand but speak Igbo very well.

In those days in Enugu we called those who couldn't speak Igbo "London goats". It was more from jealousy I guess  although they usually found it hard to fit in.

The benefits of teaching children their native language is enormous. It makes them understand their culture and fit into it. It gives them a pride of place and a sense of belonging. 

Except you never return to your hometown, the children will surely feel out of place if they are unable to communicate with their kinsmen. 

This was a task our parents did so effortlessly so I really wonder why it's so difficult for us to teach our children to speak our native languages.

A lot of the older generation speak fluent English and are also fluent in their mother tongue.

I realised that my little efforts were worth it when I called to speak to my son in school and he needed to tell me something confidentially. 

Since he was not allowed to take the phone out of sight, he said to me in the most adulterated Igbo "mum, ka ayi kwuo okwu bayi" ( mum let's speak our language)

He damaged the language on that day but guess what? He communicated and I advised him accordingly. 

Right in front of his oppressor at that time he told me all that I needed to know. On that day I promised myself that I would not deny my children the privilege of knowing native language.

It's not something that I'm proud of but we are definitely getting better.

I always tell my boys that in a few years, the cool people will be those who can speak any of the Nigerian languages.

I remember being confrontational with a friend years back on why she spoke English to me all the time and  not Igbo. She simply told me that she grew up in the South West of Nigeria.

When I said to her that she should be able to speak Yoruba she calmly told me that her Yoruba was flawless. 

I left it at that (even though I doubted her) till we were both in a salon in Lagos. The hairdressers knowing that we were Igbos started to talk about us negatively. Of course I was oblivious of what they were saying till my friend went off on them.

I was staring at her like I'd never seen her before. It was like speaking in tongues. An Igbo girl spilling out Yoruba like an Iffa priestess was quite impressive.  I was so proud of her. The only thing the silly girls could say was "Sorry aunty, we know no say you dey hear oh". 

I failed my children but I can still correct it. Better late than never they say. So please join me on this mission. Teach your children their native language and you will be happy for it.