Should Creole be Taught as a Language in Schools?

Creole is spoken and understood by nearly every Mauritian. However, it would not appear strange if ever it is taught as a language in schools.

Actually, we are compelled to learn English and French at schools though neither of these languages is our mother tongue.

Sometimes, I ask myself what if one day the English and French people would be forced to learn Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and Mandarin? How would they react then? Would they like it?

I remember fully well a famous person was once against the teaching of Creole as a language in schools. But still he suggested that it should be spoken in the National Assembly.

If Creole is taught in schools, a new oasis of journalists, writers, poets, dramatists, etc. will spring up to enhance our Mauritian literature.

Remember Rabindranath Tagore who won the Nobel Prize in Literature once used to write in Bengali and not in English.

Sometimes somebody with only a Creole background can be a better politician than someone with a greater knowledge of English and French.

If we are going to help Creole to exist as a language, maybe the next generation will be grateful to us.

The Beauty of Languages

I know many would not like this idea, but they must realize that every language is rich in itself.

That precious experience I achieved when I was sixteen years old. I used to learn Urdu, Hindi and Telugu. Really, there is a special beauty in these languages which can magnetize anyone.

But unfortunately, with the coming of the Cambridge School Certificate Examination, I had to abandon them all. And I regret it nowadays.

Creole serves as a pillar and it is the only dialect which links and unites all Mauritians.

However, the pioneers of the Creole language have still to write its grammar, syntax, dictionary, vocabulary, etc. for its teaching in schools.