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| Image: DP |
Nigerian musician and cultural advocate Charles Onyeabor has ignited a passionate debate on the importance of indigenous languages, challenging the widespread belief that speaking perfect English equates to intelligence.
Onyeabor criticized the societal bias that places English fluency above cultural heritage, urging Africans to take pride in their native languages instead of prioritizing a foreign tongue.
“Perfect English is not a mark of intelligence; it’s a mark of linguistic ability,” Onyeabor stated. “I know a lot of flawless English speakers who are not as smart as a goat. It’s shameful when Africans neglect their languages in favor of English.”
Drawing comparisons with France and Italy, where native languages are fiercely protected, Onyeabor called out Africans’ obsession with English while foreigners are praised for speaking local dialects.
He further emphasized that rather than mocking those who struggle with English, the real shame should be on Africans who cannot fluently speak their mother tongue.
His bold statement has sparked widespread reactions, with some applauding his stance on cultural preservation, while others argue that English remains a necessary tool for global communication.
Source: DP
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#LanguageMatters
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#EnglishIsNotIntelligence
#PreserveOurHeritage
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