The 21st February was international Mother Language day (IMLD). This day comes annually for people all over the world to promote the awareness of linguistics, cultural diversities and multilingualism. This is a day where people world-wide honour their native languages.
Soshanguve Times took to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve campuses (North and South) to find out students views on the need of honoring their mother tongues since they live in a country with eleven (11) constitutionally recognized languages. This is what they had to say:
Bethel Moremi, a Public Relations student said she does not see the reason South African’s should celebrate their mother tongues. “In South Africa as well as most other countries, English is used as the main medium of instruction, so I do no not see the need really to celebrate our mother tongues because we hardly use them anyway!” said Ms Moremi.
Mandlenkosi Shandua, a student from the South campus said he felt that IMLD should be celebrated to promote them because many of our mother tongues are not instilled enough. “English and Afrikaans are the two most domineering languages in schools,” Said Mr Shandu.
Promise Makhubela a student from the South campus said she feels native languages should not be celebrated because she feels like South Africans still need to deal with the issue of tribalism and stereotypes within communities. “I am Tsonga but because I do not fit the typical Tsonga description, I get teased and told my language does not suit me,” said Ms Makhubela.
Siyasanga Monwalibe, a journalism student said she felt we should commemorate IMLD because South Africa has 11 languages and she felt those are enough for people to actual celebrate IMDL. “We should celebrate International Mother Language Day so we can celebrate our individual tribes from the eleven (11) languages we have,” he said.
Kwena Moele, an Integrated Relations student said IMLD should be celebrated to allow every person to embrace and be proud to speak mother tongue. “I feel as South Africans we have adopted and adapted to so much of the western culture that even African kids are taught to speak English before their own home languages. As a people, we should learn to be proud of our own languages before we learn other people’s languages,” concluded Ms Moele.
