The world is made up of billions of people from different culture which have language as one of the major tools in identifying them to their location on the globe.
Numerous languages are spoken worldwide; a nation like Nigeria has several languages which also have dialects. English is the official language spoken in Nigeria but there are countless other local languages spoken in the country.
Asides English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ibibio, are other languages spoken by Nigerians while Pidgin English is another Lingua Franca of the world’s most populous black nation.
English being the official language has made many young Nigerians home and abroad to lose their mother tongue (local language). Some parents/guardians have failed to teach their children/wards the local languages.
There are several benefits when you speak ‘wa-zo-bia’ fluently as a Nigerian. This write up should encourage you to learn your local language.
Map of Nigeria showing major tribes
5 Reasons To Speak A Local Language
It opens up social and cultural opportunities: It is an added advantage if you speak your local language alongside the foreign language. Speaking a local language helps you interact with people that you share the same heritage. This gives you opportunities to make friends, explore different hobbies and helps you understand your people. This can also give you the opportunity to lead them at some point if you can share their views about life and other things.
It can improve your competitiveness in the job market: Learning and speaking a local language makes your resume stand out and can boost you to the top of the interviewees’ list with potential employers. It is an added advantage if you speak a local language in an environment that deals with customer relationship. Versatile employees are then employed to help with multilingual consumers home and abroad which is a significant opportunity for the growth of the business.
It will help in traveling: Learning and speaking a new language makes it easier to relate with people when you visit a new land. You feel more secure when you speak a local’s language even when you are not fluent in it. Locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language. This could lead to more opportunities in your sojourn in the land.
It improves problem-solving, multitasking and decision making: Studies have shown that bilingualism can improve brain functions like the ability to focus attention and perform mental tasks. It helps in problem-solving and creativity. People who can speak more than one language can process information more efficiently and easily. It can also be of help in making rational decisions.
It Can Be The Help You Need In Time Of Danger: Several times I have seen people being saved from danger when they speak their local language. That ‘Nagode‘, ‘Daalu‘ or ‘E Seun‘ might be the code you need to avoid danger and get help from locals.
You are definitely doing your children/warm good than harm when you teach them your local language. In a country like Nigeria where there are many languages, it is definitely spot on if you learn Hausa/Igbo/Yoruba as you never can tell where you’d be and call for help with the local language would be your password.
Do share your thought on this post in the comment section.