This is an age-old issue that has been brought up again and again. I have actually been caught up in it many times where I am seen as “Boko Aqida” despite my linguistic advocacy and nationalism in Hausa cultural studies.
Public culture always brings up advanced nations and how they developed using their national language – giving the totally false impression that national development is tied down to language. Let’s look at some of the quoted countries as having progressed through the use of their language.
China is home to an estimated 302-309 living languages, including various dialects and minority languages. While Mandarin (Putonghua) is the official language and widely spoken when in 1932 China adopted it as the national language, and it was later reinforced and renamed as Putonghua by the Communist government in 1956. Reason? Many, but the most important was national unity. Promoting Mandarin as the national language reinforces a sense of national identity and unity among Chinese citizens, regardless of their regional linguistic backgrounds.
India. While the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages, it is estimated that there are over 121 languages and 270 mother tongues. However, individual States (about 28 states, which along with 8 Union Territories, make up the country’s administrative structure) can choose their own official language(s) through legislation. However, the official language is Hindi (with English in subsidiary role). Reason? National unity. Note, though, Hindi is official, NOT national from 1950.
Malaysia has 133 languages. After independence from Britain in 1957, Malay was promoted as a unifying force. It was renamed Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian language) in 1967 to emphasize national identity over ethnic identity.
Japan has 13 languages (quite a few becoming extinct), but the dominant and subsequently, national one used is Japanese, which was only recognized as so in 2001.
Nigeria does not the singular focus and historical advantages these countries have in their ancient as well as recent histories. Nigeria has over 500 languages, choosing an indigenous language could be seen as favoring one group over others. English was introduced by the British in the 19th century and was retained as a neutral, non-ethnic choice, creating unity in diversity, and serving as a lingua franca for communication between different ethnic groups.
So, if we adopt our “mother tongue” how do we communicate with others? Let’s say Hausa, right? Will WAEC/NECO/JAMB also be in Hausa? Will our degree programs be in Hausa? If our graduates are seeking admission in overseas institutions, will they be taught in Hausa? We need to think these and other issues through before making the nationalist demands for a particular language.
Years back, advocates such as Wole Soyinka and some African leaders, notably Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana were debating the use of Swahili as the language all Afrians should use. That didn’t fly. Most African countries still use colonial languages (English, French, Portuguese) as official languages because they’re already institutionalized (education, law, government). They also offer global access and neutrality among ethnic groups.
This mirror’s Nigerian linguistic dilemma.
Professor Adamu writes from Bayero University Kano
