“Let our children be multi-lingual…….”, says Beryl
Posted by African Press International on February 6, 2007
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Commentary: See related story at the bottom of Beryl’s comment.
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I totally agree with Esther that while fluency in a national language is important, and almost mandatory in any country if one is to progress, and be integrated in the society, it is of grave importance that we speak to our children in our languages. This is what we are also encouraged to do in Sweden. They call it giving the child a language foundation.
A child born and living in Sweden will automatically get the language. My daughter who is just three speaks Luo, English and of course Swedish fluently. Swedish infact overrides the other languages because that is the language she hears all around her unlike luo that she only gets at home.
Lets not be cheated, any Swede, Norwegian or Finnish immigrant to Kenya, or anywhere else would never forsake their languages for the sake of the native language, even if it means segregation or otherwise, simply because that is who they are, and they are proud of it.
Why can’t we be proud of who we are, of our langauges and pass them onto our children.
I however completely support fluency in the native national language, but not forsaking our own languages. Sweden actually even provides immigrant children with extra tuition on their mother tongues in schools; yes this is provided for in the school curriculum and its all free.
Let our children be multi-lingual…….
By Beryl,
Related story:
Published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 63002525
