Who Good English Epp?

One phrase that commonly pops up in a Nigerian socio-linguistic context when people are called out for their poor use of the English language is: “English is not my father’s language; who good English epp?” or “How has (good) English improved the economy?” Good question, isn’t it? But before we celebrate linguistic defiance disguising as savagery, perhaps we should ask another question: “Who bad English don epp?” or “Has bad English improved the economy either?” This piece makes a compelling argument for why language matters—whether it’s your “papa language” or Queen’s English.

However, before we move on, there’s something we all need to agree on, irrespective of the side we belong to. Communication is an integral part of life, as humans need to express ideas, thoughts, intentions, expectations, assurances, fears, and worries day in, day out. And language is the only viable means by which humans communicate with one another.

Language exists within and for society, primarily as a tool for intra-societal and inter-societal communication. According to Brown and Yule (1983), language serves the two broad purposes of interaction (to maintain social relationships) and transaction (to transmit information). In fact, going back to the creation story, we realise that God deployed language to communicate His intentions, saying “Let’s make humans in our own image”and the more powerful one, “Let there be light!” So, communication has existed even before the creation of the universe. Hence, the significance of effective language use in any situation cannot be overemphasised.

There are two basic ways we acquire a language: either first language acquisition (the natural, unconscious way we acquire our first language from birth, usually from parents and people around us), or second language learning (the process of learning another language after the first one, usually through formal teaching, exposure, or personal study, which requires conscious effort and practice). Whichever way, proficiency should be a priority. In the case of Nigeria, the English language is arguably a second language for most Nigerians, as they learn it through formal teaching in school and by other various means. This, however, does not excuse a lack of proficiency in the language.

Given the linguistically heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, the English language—a supposed foreign language—has become such a mainstream means of communication in the country that an average Nigerian is simultaneously exposed to it at an early stage of life alongside their mother tongue. The English language is the country’s official language. Education—including important aspects of national life such as governance, commerce, and politics—is carried out using the language. So, whether acquired as one’s “papa language” or learned as a “second language” for donkey years in school, there seems to be no excuse for incompetence in the English language for any Nigerian.

In a way, your competence in using your mother tongue effectively has a commensurate influence on your mastery of a second language. Sadly, the majority of those who undermine the importance of using the “foreign” language effectively are equally found wanting in communicating with their “papa language”. For instance, an average Yorùbá native speaker would say “Ajá náà mu omi” (The dog drank the water) instead of “Ajá náà lá omi” (The dog licked the water), since dogs use their tongues to lick, not drink, water. This is proof that being competent or deficient in a language is not solely due to how it was acquired, but also to the commitment given to it.

We must understand that no language in the world is either superior or inferior to another, once it serves the purpose of intelligible communication in the society that uses it. And the ability to use a language effectively—whether naturally acquired (mother tongue) or learned (second language)—is one product of high intelligence. Effective communication is profitable. Supposing good English has not helped anyone, who then has bad English helped?

No matter the denial, English has become an essential part of our identity in Nigeria. While we should not condemn people—particularly Nigerians—who are deficient in using the English language, we should also not condone cocky, lame excuses such as “English no be my papa language” for the inability to use the language effectively after investing time and money to learn it all life. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and the call to improve should not be met with reproof.