Why Runyankore-Rukiga Writers Struggle and Resist Correction

A notable linguistic challenge exists among the Bakiga and Banyankore communities in southwestern Uganda, where proficiency in writing the Runyankore-Rukiga language is surprisingly low, and correction is frequently met with resistance.

This issue doesn’t stem from a lack of capability but rather from deep-seated psychological factors and historical influences. The colonial period instilled a belief that English was the language of progress and intellect, relegating indigenous languages like Runyankore-Rukiga to “village” status, unsuitable for serious academic pursuits.

This colonial narrative resulted in “internalised linguistic shame,” where many individuals came to view their mother tongue as less valuable, leading to a disregard for efforts to study and codify it. Even prominent linguistic work by individuals like Festo Karwemera faced indifference from educational authorities.

Decades after independence, a lingering perception persists that writing well in Runyankore-Rukiga signifies limited education rather than cultural expertise. This inverted pride, a direct inheritance from colonialism, means that even those who struggle with English might feel superior to someone writing their mother tongue fluently.

Compounding this is the Dunning-Kruger effect. Many speakers assume their natural fluency in spoken Runyankore-Rukiga automatically translates to correct written form, leading to an overestimation of their writing skills and a reluctance to accept constructive criticism.

The source article is: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/columnists/muniini-k-mulera/why-many-bakiga-and-banyankore-write-their-mother-tongue-poorly-and-resist-correction-5456108