Saturday, March 8, 2025 - Charles Onyeabor, the Nigerian musician and cultural advocate, has sparked a thought-provoking discussion on the significance of indigenous languages in Africa.
He challenges the common belief that proficiency in English is a measure
of intelligence, stressing the importance of Africans embracing their native
languages as an essential part of their cultural identity.
In his statement, Onyeabor criticized the societal bias that prioritizes
English fluency over cultural heritage, urging Africans to take pride in their
linguistic roots.
Onyeabor stated: “Perfect English is not a mark of intelligence;
it’s a mark of linguistic ability. We Africans were programmed to believe that
the more you speak better English, it then means you are intelligent.
“I know a lot of flawless English-speaking guys and girls who are not as
smart as a goat sef. You should be ashamed of yourself if you are Igbo, Hausa,
Yoruba, or any other tribe, and you are unable to speak your native languages
fluently but would rather speak another country’s language.”
He further underscored the importance of valuing indigenous languages,
stating: “Don’t get me wrong; it’s good to speak other languages, but
don’t make it look like your native language isn’t worth anything. It’s your
identity. Go to France; they do not give a damn about English or any other
language. Even Italians don’t care about any other language but theirs.”
Onyeabor also highlighted the irony in how Africans perceive language
proficiency, pointing out that while foreigners are praised for attempting to
speak local languages, Africans are often ridiculed for not speaking English
perfectly.
“But in Nigeria, you will hear people say things like, ‘He/she can’t
even speak good English,’ which is a way to insult people. I think it should be
the other way round; people should start saying things like, ‘You can’t even
speak your language,’ and not insult or abuse anyone who can’t speak another
person’s language.”
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