Decolonising the mind: What's in a language?

The mastery of language has intricate links to a people' identity; what they perceive about themselves and the core of who they are. What is clear about this line of thought is that the more you speak your language, the more you better understand your roots, the meaning of what you are and better articulate your individuality.

Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, a celebrated pan-African writer, notes in his 1986 publication 'Decolonising the Mind' that language is a bearer of the identity, culture and customs of any people. Language of any given people is rich in proverbs, axioms, idioms and other forms of expression that are rooted in the rich values of the people's history and heritage. In our African folklore, for example, our grandmothers recited to us through music and dance our African stories and legends. We were taught what we are in our own language.