A case for Yoruba language in Nigeria and other African languages. If care is not taken, the languages may be no more in another two to three generations.
5. We Understand it. We Express it. We
Impart it to the next generation.
UNDERSTANDI
NG
EXPRESSION IMPARTATION
6. Generations far back…
Back then before
white men brought
their language
(English),
both adults and
youths can do
justice to our
indigenous
languages.
7. Generations far back…
1. Could understand it.
2. Could express it.
3. Could impart the next
generation.
The language was all they had.
100%
Both adults and youths
8. The Outgoing Generation…
Just before the
Independence and
after it, things began
to change as western
education became
accepted and Yoruba
Language became
second fiddle.
9. The Outgoing Generation...
Could express it.
70-80%
ADULTS YOUTHS
Could understand it.
Could impart it.
Could understand it.
Could express it.
Began to find it
difficult to impart it.
80-
95%
10. The Current Generation…
Just before and after
the turn of the
century to the
present, adults can
still understand the
language but there is
less impact on the
youths.
11. The Current Generation...
Can still express it.
40-55%
ADULTS YOUTHS
Can understand it.
Find it difficult to
impart it.
Can understand it.
Find it difficult to
express it.
Cannot impart it.
55-
70%
12. The Incoming Generation…
In another 25 to 35
years, if the current
trend is not reversed,
adults will be having a
difficult time
engaging with the
language while the
youths then will be
almost clueless.
13. The Incoming Generation...
Find it difficult to
express it.
15-30%
ADULTS YOUTHS
Do not understand it
that much.
Cannot impart it.
Only understand it
vaguely.
Cannot express it.
Cannot impart it.
30-
40%
14. The Generation After…
In another 25 to 35
years from the last
example i.e. like 50 to
70 years from now, if
the current trend
continues, the Yoruba
language will be
almost totally lost.
15. The Generation After Next…
Cannot express it.
0-5%
ADULTS YOUTHS
Understand it
vaguely.
Cannot impart it.
Don’t understand it.
Cannot express it.
Cannot impart it.
5-10%
18. It is not too late
however to reverse
the trend… Taking a
snapshot of the
current generation,
certain questions
arise:
IT CAN BE AVOIDED…
19. For the current adults…
How can adults understand the language
better?
How can they express it the more?
How can they impart the next generation with
their knowledge of the language?
20. For the current youths…
How can the youths understand the language
well?
How can they express it better?
How can they begin to impart their generation
and later the next generation?
21. Answers to these questions in a book…
Coming out soon.
Akaye
Ede
Yoruba
M.D. Omisore