IMLD 2023 reflections: Lorraine Payne

My attendance at the International Mother Language Day workshop was very rewarding and enlightening. When I entered the George Walcott Lecture Theatre I received a warm welcome, after which I was escorted to a table of brilliant people who all greeted me with a pleasant smile. I felt at ease and it was a privilege to be at such an historical event. At my table of nine I was delighted to meet two representatives from NCERD, three Amerindian people, two teachers and one student.

I joined the discussion about transferring our language and culture to the next generation. My general takeaway from that discussion is that as Guyanese we must learn to appreciate our mother languages. The highlight of the discussion was when we spoke of how we, as individuals, often times try to correct our children by insisting that they speak ‘properly’ and in ‘Standard English’. However, by doing so we are neglecting our first languages. It was concluded that the younger generation will only appreciate our native languages if we add value to them and make them meaningful. Therefore more workshops are needed countrywide to bring more awareness and further introduce these languages in schools. In that way we will be able to love and appreciate our mother languages and culture.

This blog was written as part of an assignment for Use of English, a module within the Department of Foundation and Education Management at the University of Guyana.