Why it’s important to learn our heritage language: The perspective of a parent
Introduction: Identity through Language!
The LangDentity team shares their vision for the next generation of language education that has culture and identity at its core.
“I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me” — Dr Kwame NkrumahWe speak both chiShona and isiNdebele, and it is this privilege that motivates us to help our children, friends and expatriates get a dual experience of these local languages spoken in Zimbabwe. Our commitment is to make you love and speak these languages while learning about Shona and Ndebele cultural identity. LangDentity offers a blend of online and offline activities aimed at immersing students in culturally and age appropriate environments which make learning the language fun, convenient and effective.
In this edition, we seek to raise awareness on the importance of learning and maintaining our heritage languages, Ndebele and Shona. We refer to these languages as heritage languages instead of mother-tongue because “A heritage language is the language someone learns at home as a child which is a minority language in a society, but because of growing up with a dominant language, the speaker seems more competent in the latter and feels more comfortable communicating in that language.” (Audiopedia 2017).
Why it’s important to learn our heritage language: The perspective of a parent
By Simba Marekera
In Australia, African children are constantly bombarded with subtle and not so subtle messages that tell them that they do not belong or they are different or less than. As a parent, it is very important that my kids embrace their dual identity of being fully Zimbabwean and fully Australian and ensure that they see their duality as a strength that benefits them and brings something special and extra to their classroom, playground and the broader Australian society.
However, with regards to the knowledge of their Zimbabwean language and culture, children sometimes feel disempowered to fully embrace that part of their identity. This is understandable. How can a child proudly embrace a culture whose language they do not speak and whose history they do not know? Their Shona or Ndebele names become a constant source of identity crisis rather than a source of pride.
While empowering the children with knowledge of their Zimbabwean culture and language is the primary responsibility of the parents, it takes the whole community to reinforce and sustain the sense of pride and joy in one’s culture and heritage. It is all well and good to speak Shona or Ndebele at home but participating in community cultural activities brings the language and history alive and makes it tangible.
As a busy parent, I have come to realise that a combination of informal language training at home complemented by formal training by professionals and participation in community cultural activities work well to foster that sense of Zimbabwean identity early. For example, my kids and I attended the recent Zimbabwe Independence Day event, where they got to meet other Zimbabwean kids and their parents. I also took the opportunity to explain to my daughter the history of Shona and Ndebele people, the colonial period and how Zimbabwe got its independence. The whole day became a much richer experience that she was proud to share with her friends and teachers at school.
Learning the heritage language and culture provides direct benefits to the mental wellbeing of children and their ability to be their authentic selves in the classroom, on the playground, or at work. As a parent, I would take advantage of any opportunity to support my children's heritage language and cultural growth.
“If we can empower Zimbabwean children in Australia to speak with as much authority and pride about their Zimbabwean language and culture as they do the Australian culture, we would have done our job as a community”
Reminder: Term 1 Enrolment Deadline
Please note the Term 1 Enrolment Deadline is coming up on January 10th, 2022. Classes are filling up, secure your spot HERE.
What’s Next?
In our next blog, we will continue with the theme of “Why it’s important to learn our heritage language” with insights from our resident linguistics academic, Dr Cathrine Sibanda, Head Instructor ( Shona) at LangDentity Group. Stay tuned!
