Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Some lecturers of the University of Buea, UB are of the opinion that the French language like any other languages across the world must evolve with the changing trends across the world and be counted. These views were discussed at a conference to commemorate the International Francophonie Day 2014 in UB, under the theme; L’Inventivité de la Langue Franҫais.
According to Dr. Pierre Fandio, Head of Department, French, Faculty of Arts, UB, all languages must be dynamic, indicating that a language that is not dynamic dies. He mentioned that all the varieties of the French language must be accepted, noting that it is a reality.
A family photo to close the intellectual discuss on International Francophonie Day 2014 in UB
Fandio said each society has its own variety of the French language, hence all the varieties should be interacting and all the speakers should be able to understand themselves.
He will add that behind a language is a speaker and behind the speaker, there is a kind of power, which may include; economic, political or social power. “There are differences in accents from the French language in Quebec or Mali as an example, but many will go for the accent in Quebec, not because it is so nice but behind the Quebec speaker is Canada, which is a rich country. So, there is a kind of representation,” he explained.
Fandio said the commemoration of the Francophonie Day is not meant to defend the French language but the language should defend itself. “It is the responsibility of countries across the world to respect their language(s) by showing their might in their economy, technology and other aspects of life,” he said.
Dr. Adeline Souop, Coordinator of Functional French in UB said the French language in Cameroon is also evolving since its inception in 1914 but the biggest worry has been the inability to have data on the evolution. “With our variety of local languages, the French language is bound to have some influences. Our teaching of the French language in Cameroon has also been adjusted to meet the objectives of the classroom. However, we cannot proceed successfully if we do not have the necessary oral skills, which go with data and that is absent,” she said.
Souop said the essence of every language is to evolve, including the French Language, which she explained that it will not die, but will go the way the speakers want it to be.
Head of Division Three for the Advanced School for Translators and Interpreters, ASTI, Buea, Ateba Ngoa said the French language is a great opportunity for Cameroonian students to learn the French translation and grab the many opportunities available in the absence of great translators.
He saw in ASTI, one of the early schools of translation in Sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to be a centre of excellence. “This is why for many years, we have been accommodating a lot of international meetings and they will like to know what we can give to them,” Ateba said.
Ateba said there is need to give a new twist to their training so as to catch up with the changing world.
Yves Honoré Minka, Buea Branch Manager of the National Waste Disposal Company known in the French acronym as HYSACAM said there are challenges in the evolution of languages but it should not be an impediment to communication and those who are making efforts to learn and get jobs.
The UB Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Evaluation and Internal Control, Dr. Blaise Moukoko enjoined Cameroonians to preserve their two national languages; English and French, which they inherited from their colonial masters. To him, the languages are developing, so Cameroonians should give value to them.
