In the Diaspora, mother tongue is golden
- Ника Давыдова
- 5 февр. 2010 г.
- 2 мин. чтения
By Ted Malanda
A friend of mine who is based overseas was in the country in December for the Christmas holidays and I got an opportunity to meet her delightful daughter. Aged only three, the little princess speaks Kikuyu, Italian and English. Would you believe that?
A couple of years ago, I met a Kenyan family based in Hong Kong and they had two little kids who spoke French, Mandarin, English and Dholuo.
What intrigues me about this is that mean while, children who were born and raised in Nairobi can’t speak their mother tongues.
It’s a given however that they will know a few Kikuyu and Luo words and phrases.
‘Ngai!’ for instance, has become an expression of shock for all city kids, including South Sudanese.
English words
Now think about this. Luos, according to stereotype, are the ones assumed to love everything Western, including bombastic English words. And yet it’s virtually impossible to find a Luo child who can’t speak his mother tongue.
Kikuyus, on the other hand, are often derided for being cultureless.
Yet every Kikuyu that I know of teaches their child their mother tongue, irrespective of whether they live in Muthaiga or Mukuru kwa Reuben, before they learn English.
Yet it is Luhyas, who are alleged to be so in love with their traditions and culture – night running, circumcision, burial rituals and all – that are losing their language like it’s the plague.
Rural markets
We are the only community that only converses in English or Kiswahili even within rural markets.
But that’s probably because we would never understand each other even if we tried. Certainly, If Musalia Mudavadi addressed Budalang’i residents in his mother tongue; he would as well be speaking to himself!
Still, that’s no excuse for a Kenyan who lives in Buru Buru not bothering to teach his or her child their mother tongue.
I should know. I stand guilty as charged…
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