Elizabeth Duve Dziva
Gaston
Bachelard once said a special kind of beauty exists, which is born in language,
of language and for language. Language is one very essential aspect of culture
which needs to be jealously safeguarded.
Bachelard once said a special kind of beauty exists, which is born in language,
of language and for language. Language is one very essential aspect of culture
which needs to be jealously safeguarded.
It
is sad to note that present-day parents take pride in grooming a generation
which does not really know how to effectively communicate in their vernacular
languages. Whoever brought the idea that English speaking is the ultimate
measure of intelligence is neither wrong nor right but is mistaken.
is sad to note that present-day parents take pride in grooming a generation
which does not really know how to effectively communicate in their vernacular
languages. Whoever brought the idea that English speaking is the ultimate
measure of intelligence is neither wrong nor right but is mistaken.
Of
course, the essence of acquisition of a second language and in our case English
can never be disregarded for English is an official language in Zimbabwe which enables
us to communicate universally. All the same, the word second should not be
undermined. This explains that under normal circumstances, the very early stages
of a child’s socialisation should be done in the primary language be it Shona, Ndebele,
Tonga, Nambya, Venda, Shangani or any other of our various mother tongues.
course, the essence of acquisition of a second language and in our case English
can never be disregarded for English is an official language in Zimbabwe which enables
us to communicate universally. All the same, the word second should not be
undermined. This explains that under normal circumstances, the very early stages
of a child’s socialisation should be done in the primary language be it Shona, Ndebele,
Tonga, Nambya, Venda, Shangani or any other of our various mother tongues.
It
is very unfortunate when a language is lost, for the death of a language marks
the death of the knowledge that goes with it. Language is the breath of God for
it distinguishes men from animals hence the need to be regarded with the weight
it carries.
is very unfortunate when a language is lost, for the death of a language marks
the death of the knowledge that goes with it. Language is the breath of God for
it distinguishes men from animals hence the need to be regarded with the weight
it carries.
With
language come wise sayings that are essential to humanity. These include
proverbs, idioms and expressions with lessons of things that we realistically
encounter every day. In fact, language expresses people’s thinking and even Biblically,
God created the world by word. Most of us, regret that our language and other
facets of our culture are being eroded but at the same time we do nothing to
preserve them.
language come wise sayings that are essential to humanity. These include
proverbs, idioms and expressions with lessons of things that we realistically
encounter every day. In fact, language expresses people’s thinking and even Biblically,
God created the world by word. Most of us, regret that our language and other
facets of our culture are being eroded but at the same time we do nothing to
preserve them.
We
live in an era of terrible self-denial and rejection and it is a pity that in
most cases, individuals subconsciously get into self-denial. Today, the
relationship between who someone is and how he expresses himself is worlds
apart. Talk of language use in dating and courtship. Back then, a young man’s
oratory ability in his own language would credit him the woman of his dreams.
live in an era of terrible self-denial and rejection and it is a pity that in
most cases, individuals subconsciously get into self-denial. Today, the
relationship between who someone is and how he expresses himself is worlds
apart. Talk of language use in dating and courtship. Back then, a young man’s
oratory ability in his own language would credit him the woman of his dreams.
In
Shona, demagogic orators would use rich, sweet talk like “svusvura ndadya,
mhodzi yechingwa, chigagairwa chemoyo wangu, vachirera nherera” and that
would move and melt a lady’s heart. But today try it and all young ladies in
the hood will take to their heels and point at you as a mad man or otherwise
your male counterparts will label you a disgrace, a backward and barbaric
individual (Bhambi). What a pity!
Shona, demagogic orators would use rich, sweet talk like “svusvura ndadya,
mhodzi yechingwa, chigagairwa chemoyo wangu, vachirera nherera” and that
would move and melt a lady’s heart. But today try it and all young ladies in
the hood will take to their heels and point at you as a mad man or otherwise
your male counterparts will label you a disgrace, a backward and barbaric
individual (Bhambi). What a pity!
It
is time we march towards avoiding a situation whereby our various vernacular
languages fall into disuse. After all, we do not need to ask for anybody’s
permission to preserve our language, it is all upon us. Ridiculous as it may
sound, there shall come a time when we will pay millions of dollars to the very
few speakers left in order to resuscitate a once free of charge tool.
is time we march towards avoiding a situation whereby our various vernacular
languages fall into disuse. After all, we do not need to ask for anybody’s
permission to preserve our language, it is all upon us. Ridiculous as it may
sound, there shall come a time when we will pay millions of dollars to the very
few speakers left in order to resuscitate a once free of charge tool.
As
a matter of fact, the government should consider having one indigenous language
as a core subject at Ordinary level. Let us make it a priority to impart on our
children the ability to communicate in our mother tongue and the knowledge that
comes with it. It does not necessarily mean that we need to preserve word for
word but the general style and force of the language.
a matter of fact, the government should consider having one indigenous language
as a core subject at Ordinary level. Let us make it a priority to impart on our
children the ability to communicate in our mother tongue and the knowledge that
comes with it. It does not necessarily mean that we need to preserve word for
word but the general style and force of the language.
Elizabeth
Duve Dziva is an Archaeological and Cultural heritage practitioner, the views
in this article are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do
not represent the views of any organization email:duveelizabeth@gmaíl.com
Duve Dziva is an Archaeological and Cultural heritage practitioner, the views
in this article are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do
not represent the views of any organization email:duveelizabeth@gmaíl.com
