Setswana A language on its deathbed? (Part 1)

A o Motswana wa sekei? If you are, can your offspring speak Setswana? If not, why? I have heard a number of Batswana saying this about their children, ‘heela, kana ga a itse Setswana,’ and thereafter collapsing into a high-pitched cackle. What could be the issue? Low self-esteem? Or do we simply hold English in higher regard? KEVIN MOKENTO* writes

Is English a prestigious language? Is Setswana worthless and inferior? We have a beautiful language that rivals any in the excelling beauty of its idioms, character and complexion. Think about phrases such as; Tlhotsa pele ga se e swa pele, Gatwe go sha kae, A ko o bone bomabina go tsholwa. How would you begin to translate these expressions without watering down the dynamism captured in their flavour!

In 1892, Richard Pratt, an American general said, “Kill the Indian and save the man….. He is born a blank like the rest of us. Left in the surroundings of savagery, he grows to possess a savage language, superstition and life.” Pratt advocated for the Americanisation of native Americans. In his view they were savages and could benefit from being civilised. Pratt appreciated that an effective tool for denying a sense of identity to people with a common heritage is to deprive them the right to speak their language.  Languages die. This is not always driven by the desire of speakers of such languages to associate themselves with a major language. Undue pressure is often imposed by an aggressive dominant language. Sadly, in the case of Setswana, some of us gloat in contributing to the throwing of our language down the cliff.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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