From: UC475653@mizzou1.missouri.edu
Subject: Re: CAMEROON: Is Bilingualism The Problem?
Organization: University of Missouri
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 09:48:15 CST

In article <16B60109C2.UC475653@mizzou1.missouri.edu>
UC475653@mizzou1.missouri.edu writes:
 
>
>Dear Shemlon and others who continue to express interest in Cameroonian
 affairs, many problems face our country today that go beyond bilingualism.
I sincerely believe that bilingualism is the list of all the problems that we
must have top deal with in the years ahead. I partially agree that some anglo-
are intimidated by the lack of opportunities for them in their country. This by
no means amount to any feeling of inferiority. Let us be serious: do angloph-
really feel inferior? This is news to me.
 
>The perception that anglophones are second class citizen is rooted in the
misguided stewardship of English speaking politicians in post independence era.
>Since the inception of the unitary state in Cameroon, the political elite in
in West Cameroon have been anything but purposeless and self-serving. They have
not lived up to the challenges of representation. They were suppose to articu-
and defend the interests of their constituents. This they did not do. Once they
swore on to "Grand Camarade's" sacred covenant, the accumulation of wealth, and
making sure their actions, in some cases overtly and at other subtly, formented
tribalism.
 
> At no time during this period did anglophone politicians like Foncha, Muna,
Egbe to name a few take public stance on issues of vital interest to angloph-
ones. Instead, they were constantly playing one against the other in the
hope of gaining favor from Ahidjo. This, in my judgment is the reason for all
regrets most aglophones have today. There is no way we can conceive that we as
people blew the opportunities to make life better for the generations to come
because of some greedy and shortsighted politicians.
 
>Let me reiterate that the problem facing anglophones in Camaroon today
>is not bilingualism. Rather fracophone Cameroon is able to exploit the
>weaknesses of anglophones, especially, the latter's inability to build
>a strong coalition to tackle common problems.  It is not uncommon to
>see anglophones make stereotypes about one another. Who honestly will
>deny the distrust that leads to stereotypes such as "seven catta," "mujili,"
>or "chop broke pot." This indeed, is the reality that Cameroonians of all
>backgrounds face. Any honest Cameroonian knows too well that these stereotypes
>undermine sincere efforts to function as a cohesive entity.
 
>It is therefore absurd to suggest that all anglophones suffer an inferiority
>complex. At least, I do not. The implication that follows is that anglo-
phones must speak French in other to have some recognition. Isn't this
resentful? Let no one take offense to this feeling of mine.
 
>Anglophones ought not speak French in order to earn a living. Unfortunately,
>some feel compelled to do so because it has become economically difficult to
>survive in many areas of English speaking Cameroon. This region has become an
>economic desert because of a trend begun in the 1970s whereby successful
>anglophone entrepreneurs gradually moved their businesses accross the Mongo,
>specifically, to Douala. This diminished the economic stature of once booming
>municipalities such as Limbe, Tiko, Kumba and Bamenda. Had anglophone busin-
esses be preserved in West Cameroon the question of migrating to the franco-
phone region would not have arisen. Perhaps,  the problem of bilingualism is
francophones have to deal with not anglophones. It is obvous anyway that the
ratio of anglophones that speak French is higher than francophones that speak
English.
>among anglophones is a reality.
>The point about making bilingualism a precondition for elected officials is
>a good one if ONLY people subscribed to high ethical standards. Again, I
>would dare to say that having bilingual elected officials is a necessary
>condition, but not a sufficient condition for national development. In my
>humble opinion, all Cameroonians, governors and followers alike must adhere
>to higher ethical standards, if we all strive to build a nation posterity will
be proud to live in as citizens. Currently Cameroon is in an ethical morass.
>Our leaders are shamelessly embezzling and transferring public funds in banks
accross Europe and the United States, rather than invest in the domestic
>economy. Entrepreneurs are unwilling to pay duty on imported good knowing the
>the state relies on such revenues to improve the national economy. Finally,
corruption is condone by the society. Almost every one thinks it is alright to
bribe an official. No nation can move forward without eliminating mentality
among its people. These are the problems we as a nation must confront, not
bilingualism.
EGBE.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african