THE LANGUAGE OF ANGLOPHONE MINISTERS

Although this is a rather stupid-sounding question to ask, it is nevertheless worth the asking because at its very worse, it can tickle the brain. The question is, what language do Anglophone ministers usually use when officiating – considering clearly that they have a choice between English (which is technically their first of the two official languages) and French which is the other official language. Despite the (obvious) logic involved, Anglophone ministers, even those whose French is bad prefer to use French. They do this when speaking to public service users, they do it when opening conferences and seminars; but they do it especially when signing official texts that are meant for consumption either as internal memos or public announcements. Apparently, they do not seem to realize that such a muzzled use of language can lead to blurred utterances which end up by creating more problems for their audience than they bring solutions. Recently in one of the ministerial departments in Yaounde, I noticed that of all the seven notices that were on display on the notice board, all were in French and none in English, although the minister in charge was Anglophone. On the other hand, I did not see any Francophone minister’s notice board that was dominated by notices in English. Although the argument can be put up that since Cameroon is bilingual as it uses two official languages, there is therefore nothing wrong with any minister using only one language. Inasmuch as that is acceptable, we should also point out that if the said ministers alternated the use of the two languages in order to give each one and its speakers a fair chance, the entire community would be served more judiciously. One could also affirm that if Francophone ministers were using the English language with the same zeal as their Anglophone counterparts used French, then there could be some linguistic balance in that domain. However, the sad fact is that not only do Francophone ministers generally use only French as their language of communication; it is very rare for any of them to use English, especially when writing. Even so, in all fairness, Francophone ministers make a commendable effort when it comes to answering journalists’ questions, because in the majority of cases, when questioned in English, they answer in English. Perhaps one reason why Anglophone cabinet ministers stick so much to the use of French is that they want to show off their knowledge of the language. But then they really should spare a thought for the many Anglophones who find French difficult to understand. Maybe a way out could be to deliver part of a speech in one official language and the other half in the other official language. Jean Marie Atangana Mebara who is today in jail for his alleged part in the embezzlement of government funds while in office as minister used to make it a point to speak in both languages when presiding over a ceremony. In that way, he made members of both linguistic communities to feel at home. It is interesting that the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, is one person who sticks unduly to the use of French in his official pronouncements. For a leader who addresses the nation twice a year – on National Youth Day on 11 February and the 31st of December to mark the New Year – Paul Biya has surely not covered himself in glory by capitalizing on French and using English so sparingly, which is when he is addressing a predominantly Anglophone group such as in one of the two Anglophone regions or in an Anglophone country abroad. However, from today he could redeem himself by speaking one official language during his nationwide address of December 31and then using the other official language on the 11th of February. Such a move could be the catalyst his ministers need to switch linguistic tactics.