BILINGUALISM: WHAT THE SO-CALLED DIGITAL MAMBILLA PARENTS SHOULD KNOW.

BILINGUALISM: WHAT THE SO-CALLED DIGITAL MAMBILLA PARENTS SHOULD KNOW.

COMR N. L. NJIABON

I will open this discussion by defining the concept of bilingualism.

Bilingualism is the phenomenon of speaking and writing two languages. Any child who speaks just one language is monolingual while one with the knowledge and understanding of two languages is bilingual. Then multilingual is one with the mastery of two or more languages.

In MAMBILLA land, in Nigeria, in Africa, some parents think that inability of their wards to pride in their indigenous languages means exposure, sophistication and civility. They want their children to only speak and write English thereby robbing them of their joyful rights to the indigenous linguistic knowledge.

One would proudly say: "I am MAMBILLA  but I don't speak or understand MAMBILLA ". 

     (NONSENSE)

Some parents would gladly pride in the following statements: "My children speak only English. They don't speak MAMBILLA . Please don't talk to my kids with MAMBILLA  again. If you cannot speak English to them leave them."

Language is a God-given fundamental right. A child can be exposed to as many languages as possible. As a linguist, I believe in Language Acquisition Device, a theory championed by Noam Chomsky, an American great Linguist. This device is inherent in every child. Language is acquired from childhood. Base on the number of languages exposed to a child, he or she will master them.

From the best of my knowledge regarding the MAMBILLA and English, both work hand in hand to my perception of life and scholarship. There are things I know in MAMBILLA but don't know them in English, likewise English. The ability to know the languages assist one to be mentally alert. If you are not bilingual you cannot be a translator and an interpreter. 

There are many benefits. MAMBILLA parents,  should allow their kids to speak their indigenous languages. They cannot obstruct their linguistic capability of excelling in both written or spoken English, French, German, etc.

Any parent who thinks to expose his or her wards to their mother tongues will turn them dullards, have a complex issue.

Bilingualism is a way forward, then multilingualism is an additional blessing with great opportunities. Parents allow your children to learn as many languages as possible, but first, their mother tongues, that will widen their intellectual horizons.

NDENG SHII CHIN OOOOOH

          ®COMR NJIABON.