Preserving Our Identity By Using Igbo Language for Training Igbo Children in Formative Years.

Most Igbo parents choose to raise their children primarily in English language without weighing the adverse implications in their formative years. Any perceived positive implications cannot stand the test of time in the final analysis.

Let's dlve into these implications beginning with the negative ones.

1. There is this ongoing erosion of Igbo language and cultural identity compared with other competitive Nigerian languages and cultures. This also affects the culture, history, oral tradition, thought life and values of the families concerned. Children brought up in English will have a disconnect from their roots. They will not learn the all-important proverbs, folklores, oral traditions, stories and games rooted in Igbo language and culture. Such children will struggle with bonding with their grand parents and other rural relatives who do not speak or understand English. They will thus struggle to engage with their heritage. With time passage this will weaken the transmission of Igbo culture and language, especially if fewer children grow up fluent enough to pass the language on to themselves.

2. Socially there is usually a sort of divide between those raised in English and their counterparts raised in the native language. The native groomed will see the rest as others and there might be some tension arising from prejudice against the English speaking group as not authentic.

3. On the positive side, those involved believe that it is better to start off children in English since it is the official language and most used all over the world.

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