There is need for a national language

Joseph Adu-Gyamfi Opinion Jun - 07 - 2014 , 10:49

The question of whether Ghana needs a national language is still being asked. However, the argument that choosing a national language will elevate one tribe above others is intellectually flawed.

Having a multilingual citizenry does not necessarily imply that choosing a particular national language is not necessary. We should acknowledge that though everyone has an inherent right to their native tongue, some languages may be chosen above others because of their wide usage.

Kenya and India have a national language each, yet both countries have many indigenous languages. Also, having a national language does not imply that English automatically ceases as the official language. Many countries have both national and official languages. Philippines (Filipino/English), Kenya (Swahili/English), Algeria (Tamazight languages/Arabic) are three classical examples.

What's Wrong with English Only?

It lacks common sense

In a country where the majority of its 24 million citizens speak native tongues such as Twi which has estimated 20 million speakers, it doesn't make sense to have one foreign language, which according to UN language statistics, over 50 per cent of the citizens cannot comprehend, as the only designated language of the state.

It's educationally unsound and unnecessary

English only opposes bilingual educational schemes that can help students to build on their linguistic skills. When students cannot use their strengths, they experience alienation and failure.

Studies reveal that a good number of school dropouts in basic schools from Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions have difficulties comprehending the English Language which is currently the only language used in our education system from upper primary to tertiary.

In South Africa, however, there are a great number of scholars who hold PhDs in various academic fields but have been taught mainly in African languages such as isiZulu and iziXhosa.

It's unrealistic

If you are not eloquent in the queen’s language, you are deemed an illiterate in this country. But with all our effort to be “British”, we are still looked down upon. A Ghanaian student who scores distinction in English Language in both BECE and WASSCE is still required to take IELTS or TOEFL as requirement in almost all the colleges in Britain, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Why? It is believed that his or her English isn't standard.

It's unlawful

We cannot continue to pass laws and policies in a language that majority of the people do not understand. Doing so, we deny them the right to information. English-only laws in most private schools violate the linguistic right of the Ghanaian child.

When students are flogged or given other forms of corporal punishments simply because they cannot fully express themselves in a foreign language, they are denied free expression and that is something the Constitution fully guarantees. Aside that, it is completely unacceptable to punish a student for speaking his native language in his native country.

What was the attainment of independence for? Or are we under some linguistic enslavement?

My conclusion regarding the acquisition of a national language will be incomplete without reacting to a recent feature on the same issue. In his article “No Need for a National Language”,published in the Daily Graphic of Tuesday, April 8, 2014, former MP of Hohoe South, Mr Kosi Kedem, argued passionately against the acquisition of a national language. Very insightful piece it was, nevertheless it did not cover necessary facts to argue the conclusion.

Also, if you start an argument with a desired conclusion, then you are in danger of steering the argument to support such conclusion whether it has logical connection or not. In fact, the article was riddled with many logical fallacies some of which have been enumerated below:

Straw Man Appeal /False Dilemma/ Genetic Fallacy:

It should be quite clear to all by now that language is not only the vehicle of culture. It is also the spirit and soul of a people. Little wonder, therefore, that people are prepared to live or die for it.

What Mr Kedem failed to understand is that to implement a national language in a country isn't like implementing an official religion. Also, elevating one Ghanaian language to a national status will no doubt bring respect to the other native languages. Again, we shouldn't forget that nothing stops us from having more than one national language as in the case of South Africa.

Appeal to Authority/ Inflation of Conflict:

Speaking from authority doesn't necessarily make a claim true. It is still possible for highly educated individuals, and a broad consensus to be wrong as a result of dishonesty, error, or falling prey to group-think. Consider this statement from the article by one MP: One honourable member opposed the motion on the grounds that the mover of the motion: “said that English was foreign. Will that common (Ghanaian) language not be foreign to some people in Ghana? It’s shameful, bias and dangerous to think this way because every Ghanaian language is part of our culture and identity. The new Black Stars jersey designed by Puma features Kente designs. Kente is associated with Ashantis, their Akan brethren and Ewes. Should other tribes such as Dagomba, Gonja, and Ga complain?

Argument from the Negative and Adverse Consequences/ Slippery Slope:

There is, therefore, no need at all to go in search of a national language, which in the final analysis will become an imperialist and oppressor’s language and a possible source of national conflict.

Mr Kedem should understand that there is a vast difference between holding on to culture and tradition, and holding on to a language. Also, asserting that an argument must be false because the implications of it being true would create negative results is logically unsound.

Also, it is never true that Dr Nkrumah was not in favour of national languages. Under his government, the Bureau of Ghanaian Languages was instituted in 1951 to facilitate writing in nine Ghanaian languages. These languages are currently studied in basic schools .The local language policy was one of his priorities; it is successive governments that have failed to implement it.

If the people in this geographical enclave are doomed to live together as one as opined by the late Prof. R.F Amonoo, then we need an intellectual honesty to discuss issues that will promote our development not deception and emotions.

Let us, therefore, not allow predetermined notions, prejudice, wooden-headed thinking, and negative sentiments to blind us.

The writer works with Write International, P O Box MS42, Mile 7, Accra

Writer’s email: jacuzie2003@yahoo.com