A
seven-day international conference on developing a standardised system of
writing and speaking the same Soninkara language within The Gambia, Senegal,
Mali, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry Monday commenced at the Supreme Islamic
Council conference hall in Kanifing.
The
conference, which brought together delegates from the above-mentioned
countries, was held to ensure they are able to use the language as a tool for
development as well as protect it from dying.
The
conference, organised by Soninkara in America, targeted 1,000 participants and
also brought together lecturers from America, France and other countries.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony, Hon. Muhammed Magasey, National Assembly Member for
Basse constituency, said they could not be their selves if they could not
express themselves in their own languages.
He
said it is their languages that teach them their culture, norms and customs,
noting that “one could not be what you are if you do not know what you are”.
According
to him, the better way to know a language is to learn it, adding that to be a
change agent in the community one must know what to do.
He,
therefore, urged people to learn their languages as a tool for development.
Demba
Hydara, second vice president of Soninkara in America, pointed out that Western
countries had made them to lose their languages and cultures through
colonisation.
He
stated that whoever could not speak his or her own language loses his or her
identity and everything.
Gambians
and Africans in general should take China as an example and develop their own
language, he said.
Soninkaras
in America, France and other European countries have realised that their
children are losing by not being able to speak their own language.
This
unfortunate situation, Mr Hydara said, had motivated them to come up with the
initiative of promoting the language and its values.
He
also revealed that though it would take time, there will come a time they would
have a Soninkara university.
Yankuba
Sinera, member of the association of Soninkara Language literacy in The Gambia,
said the idea was conceived seven years ago in 6 West African countries where
Soninke is spoken.
They
started a Soninke language school in The Gambia last year to ensure Soninke
people in The Gambia are able to read and write their own language, as well as
protect the language, because UNESCO projected that in 50 years’ time, 50
languages would die.