HomeOld_PostsZim needs coherent indigenous language policy

Zim needs coherent indigenous language policy

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IN a research undertaking that began in 2006, Dr Arthur Makanda observes that in post-colonial Zimbabwe, the near absence of a coherent language policy framework encourages the perpetuation of the under-development of African indigenous languages.
The scholarly critique by Dr Makanda provides a refreshing ideological assessment of indigenous language policy in Zimbabwe.
The book The Language Question in Africa; Zimbabwe Case Study suggests that: “The elite perspective must be dislodged as a pre-condition to implement policies favourable to indigenous languages.”
In his objectives, Dr Makanda seeks to identify the link between indigenous language and the major social domains of life in Zimbabwe which are culture, politics and the economy.
He critically examines the sources of Zimbabwean society’s negative attitude towards the use of indigenous languages in economic and educational activities.
He acknowledges and evaluates contributions of ordinary people in the creation and implementation of a coherent language policy.
The book concludes with recommended strategies to the Zimbabwean Government on how to elevate indigenous languages to an official status, hitherto denied them. That will see the local indigenous languages being used as media of instruction in schools beyond Grade Three.
His rationale is that people and authorities jointly name, liberate, celebrate and create a worldview defined in an indigenous language of their choice.
The African philosophy of being is perceived in the mother tongue and as such is paramount to one’s understanding of self.
Dr Makanda has faith in the ability of ordinary Zimbabwean citizens to develop, create and consolidate the knowledge of their indigenous languages that they use in their life experiences.
Indigenous languages in Africa have not been accorded a prominent position. Even when they are officially recognised in the statutes of the country, they have remained the languages of informal business, yet they are the languages of the majority of the people.
According to Dr Makanda: “Languages grow, their vocabularies expand when these languages are used daily and recognised as supremely media of instruction (sic).
“In view of the language situation in Zimbabwe, a thorough investigation on policy implementation and social development using indigenous languages is not only necessary, but overdue.”
His book The Language Question in Africa; Zimbabwe Case Study is based on a language-in-action approach that draws examples from the fields of culture, the arts, economics and politics.
The lack of publicity of the survey in the media unfortunately led to a low response, as some potential respondents pointed out that as far as they were concerned, any form of data collection relating to the new constitution had ended as announced in the public media at that time.
Given there are more than 16 languages spoken in Zimbabwe, the lack of a language policy framework in Zimbabwe undermines any attempt at elevating the status of indigenous languages to that of being an official medium of instruction in the country’s institutions of higher learning.
In his book, Dr Makanda espouses that English is accorded the superior status of being the official language of business and record, while Shona and Ndebele are relegated to the inconsequential status of being indigenous national languages.
In his preamble, Dr Makanda notes: “Zimbabwe gained its Independence in 1980, which was granted through the Zimbabwe Constitution Order 1979, (Statutory Instrument 1979/1600) of the United Kingdom.
“While the inherited Constitution promoted some civil liberties, it remained silent on the issue of the role of language and culture in the development of the new nation.
“Subsequent amendments to the Constitution were also silent on the issue of the vital link between language, culture and social-development.”
In 1999, the Government of Zimbabwe proposed the implementation of a new people-driven Constitution, which provided for the following recommendations:
l All indigenous languages spoken in Zimbabwe be recognised.
l The official languages are English, Shona and Ndebele.
l English is the official language and the medium of recording official documents.
According to Dr Makanda, of the three official languages in Zimbabwe, English is accorded the superior status of being the official language of business and record, while Shona and Ndebele are relegated to the ‘inconsequential status of vernacular others’.
Dr Makanda demonstrates an understanding of the workings of language and culture within the context of socio-psychological tensions brought about by feelings of inferiority and insecurity realised by the adoption by a foreign oppressor’s tongue to express African ideas, concepts, worldview that inform human relations.
He looks at the tensions and contradictions that arise from an independent African country experiencing the challenges of language and culture in transition.
The overall tone of the proposals posited in Dr Makanda’s study deal with strategic intervention for the use of indigenous languages and the implementation of a revised indigenous language policy.
Central to his argument throughout the text is the issue of deliberate marginalisation of indigenous peoples who may not have attended a European school and consequently, how foreign languages hinder the development processes of Zimbabwe, due to lack of cohesion.
He asserts that very often, the language employed in public inter-face does not correlate with the educational understanding of the majority of the people and, as such, the language used for socio-economic development is often misused, misunderstood and/or misinterpreted.
Dr Makanda’s book will be a valuable guide for scholars, linguists and sociologists who will find this study illuminating in relation to public administration and language dispersal possibilities.
The overall tone of the proposals posited in Dr Makanda’s study deal with strategic intervention for the use of indigenous languages and the implementation of a revised indigenous language policy.
The reports in this book are factually well presented with interesting perspectives and a comprehensive opinion survey giving conclusive reasons for the need to implement an indigenous language policy in Zimbabwe.
The tome provokes deeper philosophical and ethical thoughts on the value structure of our society and its somewhat antiquated language policy.
In fact, it sheds light on the glaring fact that Africa has not yet come to grips with decolonising its main agents of suppression, one of which is the language of colonisation.
The feasibility of implementing such a policy is not farfetched and can be facilitated through the introduction of more indigenous languages in the educational system.
Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration) and Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, lecturer, musician, art critic, practising artist and Corporate Image Consultant. He is also a specialist Art Consultant, Post-Colonial Scholar, Zimbabwean Socio-Economic analyst and researcher.
For views and comments, email: tonym.MONDA@gmail.com

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