By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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The use of the mother’s tongue at home is a necessity for the Nigerian child to develop self confidence and self reliance. It also enables a child to contribute positively to his or her immediate society.
The language situation in Nigeria is very complex. There are over four hundred indigenous languages in Nigeria today. The major ones among them are: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Fulani, Efic, Kanuri, Ibibio, Ijaw and Edo.
Language is closely related to education, formal and informal. It is a tool for learning.
It is obvious that indigenous languages are replaced with foreign languages in Africa, especially English. Our native languages are gradually going into extinction because parents no longer communicate with their children in the mothers tongue.
Lest we forget, our language expresses our culture, tradition and beliefs. When parents decide to abolish their native languages all in the name of civilisation, they have forgotten that there is no way they can teach the young ones their culture, tradition, and beliefs without teaching children their mother’s tongue. Yoruba language expresses yoruba attires, foods, greetings, festivals, morals among others, likewise other indigenous languages.
The importance of native languages to children cannot be overemphasized as it helps in cognitive as well as intellectual development, it helps in second language learning, helps children to connect with their culture and people.
Teaching a child to speak his or her mother’s tongue or native language is best done within the family, therefore parents should make it mandatory to teach their children.
Speaking with feminine line, the state Chairman of the Association of Teachers of Yoruba Language and Culture of Nigeria, Mr Femi Oyelowo, affirmed that countries like Germany, China, Spain among others were able to record tremendous development because they take their indigenous languages as priority.
Charging parents and guardians to make their indigenous languages as a means of communication to their children and wards, he maintained that culture is our heritage ,therefore we must not go into extinction.
“If care is not taken, some languages may go into extinction when people do not want to speak it .Even the illiterate parents do not want to speak it to their children, they are forcing themselves to speak English to the children even if it is not correct, is that civilisation or what? We must go back to the old days. Our languages cannot be separated from culture”, he averred,
Corroborating his words, a Yoruba language teacher from Akure Muslim College, Mrs Ronke Orimoloye posited that no society can survive without culture, hence the need to embrace it,
Mother tongue makes it easier for children to pick up and learn other languages. It helps develops a child’s personal, social and cultural identity. Using mother tongue helps a child develop their critical thinking and literacy skills. Self-esteem is higher for children learning in mother tongue
To this end, the Feminine line implores parents ,especially mothers to start practising it today, it is fun and interesting. You will not regret doing so.