What are the mechanisms through which Colonialism led to dilution of mother languages?

INTRODUCTION

“More than race or religion, language is a window on to the deepest levels of human diversity” (Johnny, 2022). But surprisingly, some people can hardly speak any language fluently, not even their mother language. The colonial era has had profound and enduring effects on cultures and societies around the world. One such effect is the phenomenon of language dilution, wherein indigenous languages are marginalized or replaced by the languages of colonizers. Referring to Oxford languages, colonialism is the policy or practice of a country acquires full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting its resources to develop its own power and wealth. Colonial powers often imposed their own languages as the official languages of administration, education, and law. This marginalization of indigenous languages in favor of dominant colonial languages led to a decline in the use and transmission of indigenous languages within formal institutions and domains of power. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical precedents, socio-political dynamics, and cultural shifts, this essay argues that colonialism acted as a catalyst for language dilution among indigenous societies, employing various mechanisms, namely: imposition of dominant languages, language suppression and stigmatization, displacement and disruption, education policies, media and communication, economic and social factors, and legal and political frameworks.

BODY

Whenever someone mixes languages, they are literally not speaking any language because they are not obeying rules of any specific language. The mixture of languages comes as a result of exposure to different languages, and one faces difficulty in using them exclusively. “A frequently context where two languages are mixed is the word-internal level, demonstrating how tightly integrated the two grammars are in the mind of a speaker and how they adapt to each other” (Alexandou, Artemis, Terje, 2018). Normally, every society is characterized by some common doctrine which includes language and most commonly, it is one language per community. So, we ask, where does the mixture come from? When intruders come into the community or the people in the community move out to learn other languages, languages get mixed up. The tendency to know multiple languages comes with the variation in the way one feels about one of the languages in different situations depending on the one that floats on their mind and most of the time their mother language is underestimated because of the prolonged time in schools that use foreign languages.

Most colonized countries are facing the issue of extinction of some part of cultural aspects, especially fluent native language speaking because the new generation is raised with foreign languages hence either a mixture, broken, or diluted mother tongue. At one extreme, for example, are relatively small areas such as Cameroon with more than 100 languages, while at the other extreme there are countries with one predominant mother tongue, such as Botswana, Burundi, Lesotho, Rwanda, Somalia, and Swaziland. However, even in these countries, individuals are likely to be multilingual, often speaking at least one African lingua franca and a European language. So, then what will happen to these countries with one mother language if it continues to be diluted? The whole country is likely to lose its identity in the future if measures are not taken.

“A mother tongue helps in the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. It’s a source of pride and belonging for people and is an integral part of their identity. Therefore, it is important to recognize the significance of mother tongue and promote its use and learning” (Ruff, 2023). People grow up using a certain language in their community and only the lucky ones find their families cultural enough to preserve the heritage including their mother language originality. Colonial education systems played a crucial role in language dilution by promoting the use of colonial languages as mediums of instruction and literacy. Indigenous children were often compelled to learn and speak the language of the colonizer, leading to a loss of proficiency and fluency in their native languages over successive generations. At a young age, one starts going to school where the use of their mother language is even prohibited; it is a shame to be found on the list of “vernacular” speakers in mostly elementary schools. Yet, at this stage, children should be encouraged to learn their language and develop the love for their identity. Likewise, according to UNESCO, Hawaiian and English are both official languages of the state of Hawaii, but Hawaiian is critically endangered. The decline of Hawaiian language is the obvious, tragic story of colonialism. A more official blow to Hawaiian came in 1893, when a coup overthrew Hawaii’s Queen Liliʻuokalani. A few years later, Hawaiian was banned in schools; it was not taught, and children were even punished for speaking Hawaiian on the playground. According to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, in the late 1800s, nearly 90% of Hawaiian speakers were literate. By the mid-1980s, less than 50 children spoke the language, and the 1,000 – 2,000 adult speakers were shrinking. There is no room to learn fluent mother language because even in job seeking, speaking your mother language is no added value rather you are required to be fluent in foreign languages. These standards that have been set are lending a hand to language dilution and cultivating unemployment to those who fought to preserve their native languages. If this issue is not addressed, some languages will become extinct. “There are 7,000 documented languages currently spoken across the world, but half of them could be endangered, according to a new study. It is predicted that 1,500 known languages may no longer be spoken by the end of this century” (Wood, 2022). As presented by The Guardian, the last two fluent speakers of the language Ayapaneco in Mexico are not speaking to each other. Speakers of minority languages worldwide experience disadvantages in society, education and work, especially when they speak their language in public. A mother language is the backbone of identity and culture of the natives, it should be valued, taught, encouraged, and appreciated. Every language has equal value to express emotion and idea as desired and none is inferior, let away the broken.

Talking about one of the endangered languages in Africa, Tchumbuli language in Benin that is a Guang language in Benin spoken by 1,838 to 2,500 speakers according to UNESCO. Tchumbuli and other native languages in Benin are at risk of diminishing due to the overuse of French as it is also an official language in Benin. French was introduced during the colonial period and maintained as the official language upon independence. It is important to know French to get an administrative position or work in the cities in general, and speaking it is a mark of prestige. According to a study by Amadou Sanni and Mahouton Atodjinou in 2012, it is estimated that Benin will be completely Francophone by 2060 (Wikipedia, 2023). It is just less than a jubilee from now so quick measures should be taken.

Restoring mother languages is crucial for preserving cultural heritage, fostering linguistic diversity, and promoting social inclusion. Therefore, governments and educational institutions should recognize the importance of mother languages and actively promote their use in schools, government institutions, media, and public spaces. This includes providing resources for the development of mother language curricula, textbooks, and educational materials. Again, engaging local communities, language speakers, and cultural organizations in language revitalization efforts will foster fluency. Foster pride in mother languages through cultural events, festivals, and language preservation initiatives led by community members. Most importantly, investments in linguistic research and documentation to preserve endangered mother languages. Linguists and anthropologists can work with native speakers to record oral traditions, stories, songs, and language structures before they are lost. Furthermore, implementation of language revitalization programs that focus on language learning, literacy, and intergenerational transmission can help. These programs can include language immersion schools, community language classes, mentorship programs, and language camps for children and adults. Likewise, leverage technology to support language revitalization efforts. Without forgetting the modern world bound to technology, developing digital resources, mobile applications, and online platforms for learning and practicing mother languages can reach and aid a large audience. Digital archives and language databases can also facilitate linguistic research and preservation.

CONCLUSION

Through a comprehensive analysis of historical precedents, socio-political dynamics, and cultural shifts, colonialism acted as a catalyst for language dilution among indigenous societies. The dilution of languages due to colonialism is a complex process that involves various interconnected mechanisms. Colonial powers imposed dominant languages, often European, as the official languages of administration, education, and law, marginalizing indigenous languages. Indigenous languages were stigmatized and suppressed, with policies of linguistic assimilation seeking to erase linguistic and cultural diversity. Displacement, disruption, and forced resettlement under colonial rule led to the fragmentation of linguistic communities and the loss of intergenerational transmission of languages. Colonial education systems promoted the use of colonial languages, further eroding proficiency in indigenous languages. Additionally, the introduction of colonial media and economic structures favored the use of dominant languages, reinforcing their prestige and utility while marginalizing indigenous languages. Legal frameworks and policies enforced linguistic and cultural assimilation, undermining indigenous linguistic rights and autonomy. The legacy of colonialism continues to shape linguistic landscapes in post-colonial societies. By examining these interconnected mechanisms, we can better understand the enduring legacy of colonialism on linguistic diversity and cultural heritage, and the urgent need for linguistic revitalization and cultural preservation efforts in post-colonial contexts. To prevent mother language dilution and extinction, comprehensive and collaborative efforts are essential. This includes recognizing and promoting the significance of mother languages across various sectors such as education, administration, and media. Engaging local communities and cultural organizations is crucial for fostering pride in mother languages and ensuring community ownership of revitalization initiatives. Linguistic documentation is necessary to preserve endangered languages, while language revitalization programs should focus on learning, literacy, and intergenerational transmission. Leveraging technology can support these efforts through digital resources and online platforms. Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to designing holistic strategies that respect indigenous knowledge and cultural values.