Do not allow vernacular languages in county assemblies

County governments should use English and Swahili as the only official languages

Anybody should have seen this coming. With the whirlwind that devolution is stirring, it is safe to expect weird hallucinations. However, some, like the call to recognize vernacular languages, are outrageous. 

The other day legislators in Kakamega attempted to sneak in Luhya dialects for use in the county assembly. Today, Dr. Ogone John Obiero wrote on the Daily Nation that county governments should recognize vernacular languages as official languages. 

In the article, titled “Make mother tongue official in counties,” Obiero argues using vernacular languages will enhance development at the counties. He takes pride in the fact that 80% of Kenyans own a vernacular language.

Using vernacular languages, according to Obiero, is much easier with the county governments in place. “In some cases, several counties can use the same mother tongue,” writes the linguistics, languages and literature lecturer at Bondo University College.

Obiero’s opining on vernacular languages is farfetched. Calling for the recognition of vernacular languages in the counties is backwardly. Going through the article, any reader would expect to see the lecturer recognize the precarious relationship amongst various communities in Kenya. 

Historically, Kenyan communities have not been cohesive. Suspicions amongst ethnic communities are a reality. Have we forgotten the ethnic elements of the 2007/2008 post election violence? Attempting to extol certain vernacular languages in certain counties would dampen any efforts made towards bringing diverse communities together.

Having Kalenjin as the official language in Bomet, Kericho, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Nakuru counties will not do down well with the Asians, Ogiek, Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Kisii, Luhya and Maasai living in these counties. Everyone would then like to have his mother tongue be used in the county assemblies, schools, hospitals and in shopping malls. 

Turning vernacular languages into languages for transacting official business will entrench tribalism. Tribalism in this capacity is lower level nationalism. When people are proud of what they do as an ethnic group, danger looms. Cultural superiority easily breeds prejudice. With an environment in which some communities perceive others as inferior, development cannot take root. Instead, it stirs quagmire. 

Language is powerful in transmitting culture. People do certain things in particular ways thanks to their languages.  Bundling people from different cultural backgrounds together in a single native language is unfair. It breeds dissent. 

The clamor for carving official languages out of native languages flies in the face of diversity. Identifying Dholuo to be the official language in Siaya, Migori, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties will gag Kisii and any other communities in that region. To recognize their culture, it is important to allow the Kisii use their language.  This begs the question on interaction. 

How will counties interact when they have different official languages? The assumption behind the call for native languages must be that counties will be autonomous. This cannot be the case. Trade and cultural interactions will be the order of the day across counties. 

With native languages serving as the official languages, it is clear that official business will be unusual. Take business documents penned in different languages crossing from one county to the other for example.  Unless the counties will set aside extra funds to translate documents to English and Swahili, counties will not be able to interact. Thank God Obiero recognizes this. 

Native languages do not enhance literacy. Rather than serving cognitive purposes, native languages are largely appeal to emotions. They have no provision for a wide spectrum of technical jargon. How do you call mitochondria in you native language?  Obiero thinks otherwise. 

One of the strongest points Obiero advances in the article is that native languages enhance educational outcomes. He sensationally writes that when tuition is in vernacular languages, dropout rates will decrease. It is certain that he does not know the negative effect of using Sheng’ on students’ performance in national exams. 

One is left to wonder whether Obiero’s proposal ran short of asking the Kenyan National Examinations Council to consider domesticating exams to be in native languages as per the counties. The obvious question that would follow would be seeking an understanding on how globally relevant Kenyans will become. Then there is more. 

Which direction should Kenya push in terms of languages? Methinks that Kenya should strive towards global relevance. Having international languages for official languages would make it easy for local, regional and international investors, including the trending Chinese, to interact with any county. Arguing that Kenyans require vernacular languages to participate in governance is careless.  

 

Literacy levels in Kenya are increasing. The average Kenyan is comfortable reading texts in English and Kiswahili. That means that language is not a major impediment to participatory governance. Turning to vernacular languages for governance stands high chances of experiencing a boomerang effect. Seasoned politicians have always mastered the art of turning to vernacular languages for emotional appeal. 

Last year, two popular musicians were arraigned in court for likening a particular politician to a hyena. Perhaps they were convinced that the politician and his mandarins, being members of a different ethnic community, would not get the connotative message. This incidence is proof that vernacular languages can be instruments for sowing discord rather than uniting Kenyans. This hints on the significance of official language in building nationalism. 

Official language is very powerful in nurturing nationalism. With the county governments in place, it is important to have as few official languages as possible to create that spirit of pride in the country. Otherwise, people in certain places could soon start feeling less Kenyan.

Calling for the recognition of vernacular languages as official in counties is careless.  It fails to recognize the place of languages in culture and the need for diversity. Having different official languages does not foster nationalism. Therefore, counties should not toy around with native languages in official business.