Step in the Right Direction

At last, here comes a law aimed at rendering the use of the country's two official languages obligatory. The bill on the promotion of English and French received by law makers in parliament on November 25 is already under scrutiny. Like the saying goes, it is better late than never; this in response to those who have been questioning why it took so long for something that was already inscribed into the constitution since reunification. Maybe, the time for rhetoric is over. But it's important to recall the constitutional provision of Article 1(3) which states inter alia that, " the official languages of the Republic of Cameroon shall be English and French both languages having the same status.". It goes ahead to precise that, "The State shall guarantee the promotion of bilingualism throughout the country." The Promotion of bilingualism in schools, offices, businesses enterprises and in the whole gamut of the administration, it should be recalled, featured very prominently among the issues raised in the Committee in charge of handling Bilingualism, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion of the  just ended National Dialogue wherein members were upbeat to the fact that bilingualism remains a veritable asset for the country. 
In effect, the seeds of bilingualism planted at the Foumban Conference of 1961 had refused to grow to maturity. Instead, Cameroonians spent time questioning the raison d'être of writing and speaking the two languages. Some raised the polemics over whether it should be State or individual bilingualism. Whatever the case, it is worth noting that the socio-political situation in the North West and South West Regions and other exigencies have incidentally aroused anxiety in the practice of bilingualism. Last January, a whole week was dedicated to bilingualism following the launching of its 14th edition in Mbandjock  by the Minister of Secondary Education.  Organised under the theme, "Bilingualism: A binding force for National Integration, A Springboard to Peace and Development",  the week further helped to raise awareness and consequently assess the mi...