International Mother Tongue Day : Celebrating The “Beti” Languages

On the occasion of the International Mother Tongue Day, members of the committee to promote the Beti Languages yesterday, February 21, 2024, organised a book exhibition to valorise the Ewondo language. The event, which took place at the Saint Ignace Parish of Loyola, Nkoulou, situated along the Mfou road in the Mefou and Afamba Division of the Centre Region aimed at sensitising the local population on the importance of mastering their mother tongue as an added advantage to excel in the society.
During the event, the President of the “Beti” Language Committee, Father Antoine Owona said that the day could not go unnoticed reason why he decided to organise an event to present books he had written in the Ewondo language. He said research has shown that children who are proficient in their mother tongue tend to do better academically overall than those who are not. This, according to Father Antione Owona, is because they have a stronger foundation in reading and writing in their native language, which transfers over to other subjects as well. Being in an official bilingual country with over 200 mother tongues, the Priest said there is a challenge for the Committee to educate the younger generation on learning the Ewondo language so as to ensure that they are abreast with their culture.
Within the church premises, Father Antoine Owona presented 200 books, some written by him. Amongst the books is the Bible translated into the Ewondo language as well as religious songs, mass services and grammar subjects, all translated in the Ewondo language. Amon...