Using Technology For Multilingual Learning

“Technology can provide new tools for protecting linguistic diversity. Such tools, for example, facilitating their spread and analysis, allow us to record and preserve languages which sometimes exist only in oral form. Put simply, they make local dialects a shared heritage. However, because the Internet poses a risk of linguistic uniformization, we must also be aware that technological progress will serve plurilingualism only as long as we make the effort to ensure that it does”.- Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000. UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies; and in preserving the differences in cultures and languages that foster tolerance and respect for others. Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear. Globally, 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life. Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way. The theme of the 2022 International Mother Language Day, “Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities”, will discuss the potential role of technology to advance multilingual education and support the development of quality teaching and learning for all. International Mother Language Day, on 21 February, is a day to celebrate and protect all the languages of the world. The Importance of the Mother Tongue in Education The Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azouley, pointed out in a recent speech on International Mother Language Day that mother languages 'shape millions of developing young minds'. She believes that children learn best in their mother tongue, and that it is important that children should have this opportunity. Around the world, 40 per cent of the population does not have access to education in a language they can understand or speak. Using certain languages can make it easier, or much harder, to do well in life. A language is much more than just a means of communicating. Language, and particularly our mother tongue, is an important part of our culture. Interestingly, we are all bilingual. Yet despite this fact there have been institutional forces over decades, specifically through our elitist education system which continue to discriminate against those who seek to embrace our mother tongue, Patois or Jamaican English. . Regrettably, too many of us become uncomfortable upon hearing the mother tongue being spoken in formal settings. Jamaica’s current education system does not allow our students sufficient windows of expression for the usage of our mother tongue. This is problematic and must be addressed especially in this the year of Jamaica’s 60 years of political independence. Is it a wonder that most of us try very hard to disassociate ourselves from any remnants of the African continent. We have an education system in Jamaica whereby the teaching of history is not compulsory; this makes the connection between now and our past very difficult for many to join the dots. Additionally, the Jamaica society is steeped in colourism which is used as a marker of someone’s character. Sadly, we have not passed the stage whereby we judge each other based on the shade of our skin colour. Colourism is the practice of favoring lighter skin over darker skin. The Digital Divide The novel coronavirus pandemic has exposed the numerous inequalities in society especially the digital divide. The ongoing learning crisis resulting from the ongoing pandemic has been exacerbated by the digital divide. The digital divide is the gap that exists between individuals who have access to modern information and communication technology and those who lack access. Undoubtedly, many students and teachers were not prepared for remote teaching and learning at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Jamaican situation the online modality was offline for a significant number of Jamaican students. The Education Ministry disclosed that schools have had no contact with approximately 120,000 students due to the pandemic. The overwhelming majority of those students has had no internet or poor internet service or has had no electronic gadget to log on. Digital inequality is evident in urban versus rural areas. Many schools especially in rural areas have suffered tremendously due to internet connectivity issues. Some of the striking gaps in digital inequality include: Gender divide: Many reports have concluded that the internet gender gap is troubling especially in developing countries. Although mobile connectivity is spreading drastically, it is not spreading equally. Women are still lagging. Men in low-income countries are more likely to own a mobile phone than women. This translates to 184 million women who lack access to mobile connectivity. Even among women owning mobile phones, 1.2 billion women in low and mid-income countries have no access to the internet. Social divide: Unquestionably, internet access creates relationships and social circles among people with shared interests. Social media platforms for example Twitter, Reddit and Instagram create online peer groups based on similar interests. Universal Access Divide: Individuals living with physical disabilities are often disadvantaged when it comes to accessing the internet. It is obvious that governments worldwide must take the lead on this issue of ensuring that the available technology is accessible to everyone in order to foster a culture of learning opportunities for all. Cultural Titan Folklorist, poet and educator Louise Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as Miss Lou, was, and remains, an influential presence in Jamaica’s cultural and creative arts and indeed the Diaspora. Instead of writing in Standard English, as was customary, Miss Lou challenged the expectation that Caribbean authors should write in the language of their colonizers. In finding humour in the audio and visual presentations of Miss Lou we gain a spirit of empowerment and encouragement to also utilize our Mother Language as often as the situation presents itself. Miss Lou became the standard bearer regarding the use of our Mother Language as a means of communication. Upon a deeper analysis of Miss Lou’s work we realize and appreciate that her work was done against the status quo. By presenting her work in Patois Miss Lou was instrumental in Patois gaining international recognition and acceptance. It is rather unfortunate that so many of us in this space are uncomfortable with the usage of our Mother Language. Language is Dynamic The classroom should never be viewed as an outlet for shame and discrimination; instead the classroom should be seen as an oasis of opinions where one feels safe to express his/her views respectfully. This linguistic power play in society is obviously a violation of human rights since speakers of the mother language are sometimes denied some services due to a fear of being ridiculed or laughed at. Language reinforces a hierarchal system of discrimination and for us to ignore our Mother Language we too are guilty by association of perpetuating a system of prejudice and inequality. Language is dynamic. We can all agree that some of the lingo being used today did not exist years ago. It is the dynamism of language which makes Jamaica’s cultural identity so attractive to the outside world. Oftentimes we associate proper language etiquette with the Queens English or Standard English. What will happen when Jamaica becomes a Republic; will we still refer to the Queens English as the standard? We all need to work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #10 which addresses inequalities within and among countries. One’s language should be viewed as a liberating tool instead of a vehicle of oppression. In celebrating our cultural and linguistic diversity let us strive to reinforce the narrative that there is no shame in speaking in one’s native or mother language. Let us foster an environment of acceptance that speaking in one’s mother language is just as appropriate as speaking in Standard English. Let us work assiduously in ensuring that technology becomes a tool of inclusive sustainable development goals as we celebrate Mother Language Day. In the words of Miss Lou, bwoy, yuh no shame? Is so yuh come? Afta yuh tan so lang! Not even lickle language, bwoy? Not even lickle twang? Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalMotherLanguageDay #SDG10 #JamaicanEnglish #multilingual #patois #creole