JazzMan
Elder Lister
I think it is a tragedy that we pride ourselves in speaking the colonist's language while neglecting the one that is meant to unite us as Kenyans. I know there are many issues on that unity front, but I'm looking at a different angle.
Identity.
We are Kenyans, and Africans at that. What identity do we have when speaking the national language is a problem? I know it has been inculcated in us to always speak English and Swahili has been minimized to something informal, in some cases even speaking Swahili at an office or other institution is looked at as lacking respect.
I know it is hypocritical to advocate for our national language while speaking English, but something's got to give.
So far, I'm yet to come across content that is written or expressed in the national langusge from Kenyans. It is always English, sheng or a mixture of both.
We even elevate eloquent English speakers to levels that a Swahili speaker just can't reach. Nini mbaya na sisi kama Wakenya?
Hakuna siku mkoloni atawacha kugha yake kuzungumza yetu, mbona sisi tunajikosea heshima na kukejeli lugha yetu na kuikuza na kuitukuza lugha isiyo ya Kiafrika?
Naenda kutafuta kamusi niwe mfano...
Identity.
We are Kenyans, and Africans at that. What identity do we have when speaking the national language is a problem? I know it has been inculcated in us to always speak English and Swahili has been minimized to something informal, in some cases even speaking Swahili at an office or other institution is looked at as lacking respect.
I know it is hypocritical to advocate for our national language while speaking English, but something's got to give.
So far, I'm yet to come across content that is written or expressed in the national langusge from Kenyans. It is always English, sheng or a mixture of both.
We even elevate eloquent English speakers to levels that a Swahili speaker just can't reach. Nini mbaya na sisi kama Wakenya?
Hakuna siku mkoloni atawacha kugha yake kuzungumza yetu, mbona sisi tunajikosea heshima na kukejeli lugha yetu na kuikuza na kuitukuza lugha isiyo ya Kiafrika?
Naenda kutafuta kamusi niwe mfano...