Comedian Teju Babyface is wondering why it has become common for many Nigerian children to barely speak their native languages even as children from some other parts of the world continue to learn and use theirs from an early age.
In a video he posted on his page, TejuBabyface said:
“I see Indian, Hispanic, and Arab kids speak their language, but our kids barely speak our language. Is it the aftereffect of colonialism?”.
Across many Nigerian homes today, English has become the language children are introduced to first. It is the language used in most schools, spoken among friends and, in many families, preferred for everyday communication.
While some children understand their indigenous languages, many find it difficult to speak them fluently, and others grow up without learning them at all.
The shift has often been linked to several factors, including life in urban areas, mixed-language marriages, the influence of English-language education and parents who believe speaking English from childhood gives their children an advantage.
By asking whether colonialism could have contributed to the change, Teju Babyface drew attention to a question that has remained part of discussions about language, culture and identity in Nigeria for years.
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GBAM