Dear Editor

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:55:36 +0000

ON LOCAL LANGUAGES Encouraging the use of local languages in Zambia only breeds two things: tribalism and discrimination against foreign nationals. I agree that everyone shoulON LOCAL LANGUAGES Encouraging the use of local languages in Zambia only breeds two things: tribalism and discrimination against foreign nationals. I agree that everyone should be proud of their language and tribe, but the flaunting of one’s tribe or language is both primitive and discriminatory. Rousseau noted that the best government/society is that to which more people migrate. This is so true of places like the USA and UK. A lot of people want to migrate to these places because of the freedom and liberty one gets living in these great nations: there is no segregation based on one’s colour, language or physical abilities. I urge my fellow Zambians to distinguish between being patriotic and being discriminatory. We are part of the global community, let us act the part! Finally, some people are suggesting that places and other institutions named after foreigners should be renamed after prominent Zambians: this is a load of hot gas! People like David Livingstone shaped Zambia’s history. Renaming a town like Livingstone to anything else would erase Zambia’s history. Let the man who thinks speaking English is un-Zambian also stop driving his car, drinking wine, eating cheese, and enjoying his air-conditioned office or house! d be proud of their language and tribe, but the flaunting of one’s tribe or language is both primitive and discriminatory. Rousseau noted that the best government/society is that to which more people migrate. This is so true of places like the USA and UK. A lot of people want to migrate to these places because of the freedom and liberty one gets living in these great nations: there is no segregation based on one’s colour, language or physical abilities. I urge my fellow Zambians to distinguish between being patriotic and being discriminatory. We are part of the global community, let us act the part! Finally, some people are suggesting that places and other institutions named after foreigners should be renamed after prominent Zambians: this is a load of hot gas! People like David Livingstone shaped Zambia’s history. Renaming a town like Livingstone to anything else would erase Zambia’s history. Let the man who thinks speaking English is un-Zambian also stop driving his car, drinking wine, eating cheese, and enjoying his air-conditioned office or house!

JJ