By Val Obienyem
As a concerned Igbo parent, I was struck by a friend’s remark about meeting my son at university and hearing him speak English. My friend’s curious question was, “I hope he speaks Igbo?” This encounter prompted me to share my thoughts on the importance of preserving our native language.
I strongly believe that Igbo parents who fail to teach their children to understand and speak Igbo have fallen short of their responsibilities. It is alarming when parents proudly declare that their children don’t speak Igbo, as if it is a badge of honour. In reality, it is a combination of ignorance and folly.
I have witnessed situations in our villages where even the children of masons and wine tappers no longer speak Igbo. This trend has raised concerns among Igbo that our language may die out. I share this concern, as the situation is indeed getting out of hand.
Language is a people’s greatest identity and the primary vehicle for passing down their culture and civilisation from generation to generation. Parents who do not encourage their children to speak Igbo are clearly ignorant. We need to take action and educate our people about the importance of preserving our language.
In our school days, we were encouraged to become fluent in English, having already mastered Igbo at home. We even wore large medals around the necks of students that spoke Igbo to promote speaking English . Perhaps now, the medal should be for those who speak English instead of Igbo.
Let us take responsibility for preserving our legacy and ensure that our children understand and speak Igbo. We call on churches, schools, and other institutions to join us in this effort and explain the importance of our language to our people. Together, we can prevent the Igbo language from dying out and keep our cultural heritage alive.
