FEATURES: Urgent Need For Radical Revival of Indigenous Languages, Strong Metaphorical Uses of Proverbs, Idioms, Incantations, Panegyrics (1)
“” It is a truism that an average Yoruba man or woman throws his or her weight into the enforcement of traditional codes expressed and encoded in proverbial wisdom, and anybody that flout the social norm faces the social correction and sanction””.
By Bode Durojaiye.
The prevalence of political violence, insurgencies of diverse magnitude and terrorism in the country require urgent and renewed efforts in arresting the gory situation.
Some scholars have blamed the contemporary problems, not just on eroded traditional values and value system but also, on the lack of mastery of language that has resulted in gross misunderstanding, particularly the dearth of practical wisdom embedded in proverbs to address issues in conflict.
BODE DUROJAIYE, in this report examines indigenous and traditional means of conflict management which are found in proverbial practical wisdom.
Africans, like every other human species, often face a common problem of reconciling difference(s) which would often lead into violence, violent conflict, and in some extreme cases war.
The parties involved often abandon conflict resolutions process, blaming each other. Also worthy of note is like other humans in other climes, Africans love to live in peace and as this is only through this way that society can grow and everyone finds fulfillment.
The question, however, is how can we live harmoniously without occasional disagreement and upset? Can we rise above negative attitudes and hurt feelings? Can we settle our differences amicably without rancour?
There is a common understanding that it is impossible to do without conflicts, as conflicts are not considered as the problem, rather the inability of the parties to understand how to resolve them as intricate parts of life is the bane of peace.
How then could proverbs and proverbial expressions be of help in these situations?
Consequently, there is urgent need for radical revival of indigenous languages its strong metaphorical use which would include proverbs, idiom incantations, and panegyrics, among others.
Proverbs enable us to cultivate values and frame of mind that promote peace and heal emotional wounds. These values are found in qualities such as discernment, kindness, love and patience.
It is with this understanding that philosophers of language and ethno-linguist laid emphasis on the explorative and utilitarian use of language in achieving good interpersonal relationship resulting in social order, social control and development.
he thrust of their argument for language use is that language is the key to the heart of a people. This means that to appreciate a people, one must have to go through its language because it is that vehicle through which peoples’ identity are viewed and appreciated, and also in boosting the self-confidence, motivation and innovation that drive not just development but also social control’’ .
Languages, Scholars pointed out serve as a social regulator, an instrument of action, weapon to convey order and information, influence people, enable self-expression, to embody and enable thought.
According to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, “” this lends credence to the obvious: that no human society can exist to experience peace without the effective and explorative use of and development of its metaphoric concepts and language that will encourage and teach about peace as we have in proverbs.
“” In looking at the utilitarian value and explorative use of metaphoric and indigenous language in conflict management and development related matters, no other language can take place of one’s mother and indigenous tongue, and that there is danger in over-blowing the importance of lingua franca at the expense of the indigenous languages””.
The Paramount Ruler often noted in public fora that culture and language are like Siamese twins, as the death of one portends fatalistic danger for the other.
“”In fact, culture, albeit language, is that prismatic paradigm for conflict resolution and management with the exclusive manner with which the indigenous languages are being played down for the exclusivist employment of foreign languages, culture and value system””.
The Royal Father explained that Yorubas have culture that is subsistence, agrarian, communal in the pre-colonial to the capitalist, individualistic and free enterprise of the colonial and post-colonial .
To be continued……..