The IPINS propose that in a potential, future, autonomous, or confederal or an independent Igbo nation, Igbo and Pidgin English would be used for official government business, while English and Igbo would be used for education and international communication, with simultaneous translation between the two official languages according to a document from Scribd. This suggests a focus on both native language and a lingua franca for governance and broader communication needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the proposal:
Official Government Business
Igbo and Pidgin English would be the languages used for conducting official government business. This acknowledges the importance of the Igbo language while also recognizing the widespread use of Pidgin English in the region.
Education and International Communication
English and Igbo would be the official languages for education and communication with the international community. This proposal highlights the importance of both languages for access to global knowledge and for maintaining connections with the wider world.
Interchangeable Use and Simultaneous Translation
The proposal emphasizes that English and Igbo would be used interchangeably, and when one language is used, there would be a simultaneous translation into the other language. This would ensure that all citizens have access to information regardless of their primary language.
This proposal reflects a potential approach to language policy in an autonomous, confederal or independent Igbo nation, balancing the need for cultural preservation with the practicalities of governance and international engagement.
Uche Mefor is the Convenor of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination
