MPHUTLANE WA BOFELO

This year I have published my first poetry collection in the tongue of my ancestors. Why? Because language is Land. On this land we meet our roots, lineages and acquire our thoughts, emotions, feelings, etiquettes, manners, habits, and practices. At the same time, this land of language is the very springboard from which we can transform and transcend our thoughts, emotions, feelings, etiquettes, manners, and practices. This is the land that births our dreams, and this is the land on which we grow the potential to rise beyond our dreams. Philosophy, ethics, culture, history, traditions, wisdoms, and heritage reside in this land. We encounter reality through our bodies, minds, souls, and spirit but it is on this land of language that we acquire and develop the interpretation and reinterpretation of that reality.

There is a profound connection between language, culture, and identity. Our language forms the bedrock of our understanding of the world, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and interpretations of reality. There is a rich heritage and wisdom embedded in our cultures. However, we live in the world in which people have internalised either a dismissive, cynical attitude towards works in our languages as African people or ghettoisation of such works.

There is double standard where Western intellectual traditions and figures are revered and quoted freely, yet indigenous voices and thinkers are often overlooked or marginalized. This disparity in recognition and respect must be questioned. The irony of celebrating Shakespeare or Kant while neglecting equally profound figures from other cultures must be called out.

We must eschew the notion that one must sacrifice or downplay their native language and culture to engage deeply in fields like poetry, philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. Contrarily, we must embrace and celebrate our linguistic and cultural roots as a source of strength and inspiration. Importantly, we must adopt an inclusive and respectful approach to intellectual and cultural diversity, recognizing that profound insights and wisdom can be found across all languages and traditions. Such an approach shall help us to value and preserve the linguistic and cultural diversity that enriches our understanding of humanity.

Language is land.

Producing literary, philosophical, scientific, and academic works in African languages is not merely a matter of linguistic diversity but a crucial step towards inclusivity, cultural richness, and intellectual emancipation. Our languages encapsulate millennia of cultural, philosophical, and historical knowledge. They are repositories of indigenous wisdom, traditions, and perspectives that are often marginalized or lost when not actively cultivated.

By producing works in our languages, we ensure that this wealth of heritage is preserved and passed down to future generations. This contributes to a more holistic understanding of African identity and fosters pride in cultural diversity.

Language is intimately tied to identity and self-expression.

When intellectual discourse is primarily conducted in colonial languages, it excludes many African voices and perpetuates a sense of inferiority among native speakers. Producing works in our languages empowers local communities, providing them with the tools to engage meaningfully in global dialogues while retaining their unique perspectives. Access to knowledge should not be hindered by linguistic barriers.

Language is power.

By publishing in our languages, we democratize access to education and information, making it more accessible to those whose proficiency in colonial languages may be limited. This inclusivity broadens the scope of academic and scientific inquiry, fostering innovation and development rooted in local contexts. African languages offer distinct modes of thought and expression that enrich global intellectual discourse. They provide alternative perspectives on universal issues such as ethics, governance, and human rights, challenging dominant paradigms and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Embracing linguistic diversity enhances the richness of global knowledge production and encourages mutual respect among diverse intellectual traditions.

Historically, the dominance of colonial languages has perpetuated linguistic imperialism, marginalized indigenous languages and eroded cultural identities. Producing intellectual works in our languages challenges this hegemony, asserting the value and viability of diverse linguistic ecosystems. It promotes linguistic equality and contributes to the broader movement for decolonization in academia and society at large.

Language shapes thought.

By encouraging intellectual exploration in our languages, we stimulate new ideas, theories, and artistic expressions grounded in local realities. This creativity fuels innovation across disciplines, from literature and philosophy to science and technology, fostering a vibrant intellectual ecosystem that benefits both local communities and the global community at large. Therefore, producing literary, philosophical, scientific, and academic works in our languages is not just a matter of linguistic diversity; it is a matter of equity, cultural preservation, and intellectual enrichment. Embracing and promoting our languages in intellectual discourse is essential for building a more inclusive and equitable global knowledge society, where diverse voices and perspectives contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of humanity and its complex challenges.