THE NEED FOR PARENTS TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR HOME LANGUAGE

Hello, there. I’m Blessing Omoeize Inavwhe and welcome to today's newsline, bringing you the eye on
the news for Wednesday, 20th September, 2023.
Ample studies prove that language is the vehicle in which family culture and values are often
transmitted. As a result, the need for parents to imbibe their children in home language speaking as
early as possible is paramount.
Language is widely believed to strengthen family ties.
The ability of one to communicate with grandparents and extended members of the family in a local
dialect, can help bring the family closer together.
Parents are perceived to be the major anchor for children welfare or interest. They are seen as role
models. Thus, one of their pivotal expectations is to enroot them with the ability of home language
learning.

There are widespread instances of parents from inter-ethnic homes, who have successfully trained their
children to speak both the language of the father's and the mother's.
It is an interesting and recommendable act, as children are fast learners and can easily learn multiple
languages at a time. They should be taught young, in order to build a strong foundation for language
acquisition.
One of the ways, such parents achieve this, is by speaking to the children regularly in their home
language and also encouraging them to respond in it as well.

In the opinion of one; Mrs Chimmie Gbugu, who is actively teaching her kids the Igbo language in
America, “children should be grounded in their heritage early on, as it will help them navigate life better
as adults. Truly knowing where they’re from, would help them boldly determine their future direction.”
Yes, you have heard it all. Language may help children excel academically, developing more flexibility in
thinking and concept formation.
Bilingualism is the norm in many countries, but, apparently, the Nigeria younger generation view our
local dialect inferior to the Westerner’s.
Some are contented and quite egoistic about speaking the English language, because, they view local
languages to be restricted to the rural committee or a number of illiterates.

The knowledge of an additional language is an asset. Hence, the reprobate expression of newly admitted
linguistics students, such as “who language help? Language, wey I no learn for house, na school I go
come learn am?” such statements should be plainly revoked or avoided.
Although, I never saw myself studying Edo language in this great institution, however, I saw it as an
advantage when our course adviser introduced us to it.
Be it Linguistics and Edo, or linguistics and Igbo, or linguistics and Yoruba, they pose economic, academic
and social benefits on the life of the learners.
Thank you for staying with us today. I still remain Blessing Omoeize Inavwhe. Watch out for more
updates, see you next time!