The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from China’s successful language preservation initiatives in a bid to combat the alarming threat of indigenous language extinction.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. James Sule, made the call during the International Chinese Language Day, hosted by the China Cultural Center on Sunday, in Abuja.
He also emphasized the urgency of protecting Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
Nigeria is one of the world’s highest linguistically varied nations, with approximately 500 other languages spoken there in addition to its three official languages, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, which are spoken mostly in the country’s north, east, and west, accordingly.
Regretfully, the majority of major and minor languages are either extinct or expected to disappear within the next 10 to 50 years.
Sule said “There are about 250 ethnic groups and approximately 512 languages spoken in Nigeria. The urgency to protect and revitalize these languages has never been more pressing”.
He highlighted China’s proactive steps, such as establishing language schools and cultural centers, as well as integrating indigenous languages into educational curricula, as models for Nigerian policymakers.
He further stressed the importance of sensitization efforts to raise awareness about the rapid decline of indigenous languages.
Proposing a comprehensive curriculum that includes teaching major languages in each geopolitical zone, Sule urged Nigerians to embrace and celebrate linguistic diversity. He emphasized the pivotal role of educators in preserving and passing down indigenous languages to future generations.
“We must not be ashamed of our language, not just the three major languages but others too. Teachers can learn and teach our indigenous language to ensure that they are preserved and passed onto the next generation,” he added”.
Echoing Sule’s sentiments, Mr. Li Xuda, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, praised Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, referring to it as the cradle of African Civilization. Xuda emphasized the significance of language as a cornerstone of cultural identity and heritage.
Xuda urged Nigeria to invest in language preservation efforts and promote bilingual education to foster inclusivity in society.
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Xuda said, “Language is a great creation of mankind. It witnesses the evolution and development of human civilization.”
Corroborating the claim, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, Director General of the National Gallery of Art, commended China’s resilience in preserving its language and urged Nigeria to adopt similar measures.
He suggested setting aside days to celebrate the various languages and emphasized the crucial role of parents and the education system in teaching indigenous languages to children.
This collective appeal highlights the imperative for Nigeria to prioritize and invest in safeguarding its rich linguistic heritage.
“China’s proactive approach in safeguarding its linguistic heritage has set a precedent worth emulating, especially in a country as linguistically diverse as Nigeria,” he said.
