Fluency in English and any other language by a native Speaker or anyone else who mastered a language with high spoken skills is often described as a ‘Linguist’ and not an ‘Orator’ though sometimes both terms are ascribed to the fellow especially in Nigeria. Amazingly, even among the intellectuals elite and in the academic community, this illusion had been magnified.
By the same token, a Graduate of English language single honour or Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Arabic, French etc is erroneously a ‘Linguist’.
We want to correct these wrong impressions and dwell briefly on the efficacy of Sociolinguistic, a branch of Linguistics for some of us to appreciate the power of language.
It is expedient to expose how some unscrupulous among us used language and ethnicity as powerful tools in politics and in government to bring disunity and sharp division or find their way in political leadership and employment. Sometimes, for the benefits, they drive in business transactions and in a common relationship.
Criminal exhibition of some ethnic groups and native Speakers dividing us politically is highly detrimental to the economic development of Nigeria. It is a big shauri. It must be stopped.
From the academic point of view, those wrongly acclaimed identities as mentioned above are not Linguists. Therefore, this article will be explicitly informative on Linguistics, who is a Linguist and the danger of tribalism in both local and national politics and political growth of this Country.
Linguistics is a scientific study of languages at both surface and deep structures and have many branches. Each of its branches deals with the Society which can be applied in solving societal problems.
A Linguist is a Scholar of Linguistics who can, with accuracy, give dynamics of language syntactically and semantically. Take note, Linguistics is not Sociology and let us stop at that to avoid pushing the article to an academic journal.
Meanwhile, I believe, we will be more interested in the activities of Culprits who take advantage of ethnic groups in promoting their course or earn patronage and political favour in government. What we called tribalism, ethnic jingoism, nepotism, etc often being practicalities by some elected and appointed government officials at all levels. And other disgruntled elements outside government.
Let get it straight away and brutally frank also, tribalism or ethnic jingoism and nepotism are not only archaic and unintelligible but are dislike and detest on the side of Almighty Allah. These are completely ‘Haram’ in Islam. Promoters of these sentiments are not sincere in their services to both Islam and Christianity and are not faithful, loyal and honest to Nigeria and their respective States. They are enemies of progress, selfish and dangerous people.
Against this backdrop, what will be our judgment for Leaders of IPOB, OPC, Militants of Niger Delta, Boko Haram and those who insist on actualization of Middlebelt and similar local ethnic champions who creates unnecessary confusion, suppressing others and added a lot to insecurity situation in Nigeria? We have a chain of similar cantankerous and
rascals in the many States of Nigeria who are part of this arbitrariness. How do we deal with them?
However, there is no unifying force like language if used rationally and carefully. The power of language cannot be underestimated in bringing about the unity of purpose, solidarity and development of a nation.
Languages were created as a means of identification and for better understanding among individuals in Societies and nations and not barriers and weapons of frustrating some people and destroying others.
For those using language as an instrument of driving benefits and destruction in order to place themselves at advantage are the lazy and wicked ones. They will fail in all ramifications gradually over a period of time.
Every native Speaker and ethnic group deserve a good life and freedom and should have access to all opportunities provided by the government. All should be allowed to exercise their franchises to elect and be elected in their constituencies. There should be fairness and civil liberalisation.
In Nigeria, we have been yearning for unity in diversity in view of our demography. Our population growth and a number of our ethnic nationalities have given us the golden opportunity to make the country great. Unfortunately, we couldn’t ascribe great importance to these provisions because tribalism had eluded some of us.
Nepotism and tribalism in leadership are pure callousness. Such leadership is empty. It’s a lack of empathy and disregard for certain Individuals and disrespect for other ethnic groups and family members. There is no good leadership with tribalism and without empathy, sympathy and social justice to all. Therefore, our discordant should be centred on these Leaders with myopic views who don’t think outside the box and their sycophantic following.
Sociolinguistic allows building synergy between native Speakers of various languages and provide the way in which language is affected by the difference in social class, community, region, etc. These and open interaction with each other can give us a clear understanding of ourselves as Nigerians by sticking to unity, social cohesion and patriotism. And have good Leaders we can trust.
GOD save Nigeria!
Aminu Salihu Yakudima writes from No B66, Sultan Dasuki Road, Kubwa FCT Abuja and: can be reached at aminuyakudima622@gmail.com
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