My dear Tanzanian compatriots, my fellow JF companions, it is with great eloquence and fervor that I implore you to eschew your linguistic provincialism and embrace the vast expanse of the English language. For too long have we been content with the limited purview of our mother tongue, relegating ourselves to a small corner of the global stage.
It is no secret that English is the lingua franca of the modern world. It is the language of international diplomacy, commerce, and academia. By shirking its use, we are limiting our opportunities and hobbling our ability to engage with the wider world.
Some may argue that the preservation of our native languages is of paramount importance, and I do not disagree. Our rich linguistic heritage is something to be cherished and celebrated. However, this need not come at the expense of English proficiency. Rather, we should seek to be polyglots, capable of seamlessly transitioning between languages as the situation demands.
Moreover, the benefits of English proficiency are manifold. It can open doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and increased social mobility. It can facilitate communication with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and foster a sense of global citizenship.
I implore you, then, to shed your linguistic inhibitions and embrace the boundless potential of the English language. Let us not be constrained by the limits of our mother tongue, but rather use it as a springboard to launch ourselves into the wider world. Let us be eloquent and articulate ambassadors of our nation, capable of engaging with the world on its own terms.
In conclusion, let us remember the words of the great Scottish philosopher, David Hume: "The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness." Let us not allow our linguistic limitations to stand in the way of our pursuit of happiness. Rather, let us embrace the richness and diversity of the English language, and use it to propel ourselves towards a brighter future.
Watanzania wenzangu wapendwa, wana JF wenzangu, kwa ufasaha na ari kubwa nawasihi mwepuke ushamba wenu wa kiisimu kisha mridhie mawanda mapana ya lugha ya Kiingereza. Kwa muda mrefu sana tumeridhika na upeo duni wa lugha-mama yetu, huku tukijisopeka kwenye kijieneo pembeni mwa jukwaa la kimataifa.
Siyo siri kwamba Kiingereza ndiyo lugha kuu ya ulimwengu wa kisasa. Ni lugha ya diplomasia ya kimataifa, biashara, na taaluma. Kwa kuchelea kukitumia, tunapunguza fursa zetu na kuutwesha uwezo wetu wa kuchangamana na ulimwengu mpana zaidi.
Wengine wanaweza kudai kwamba kuhifadhi lugha zetu za asili ni muhimu sana, na wala sipingi hilo. Urithi wetu maridhawa wa lugha ni kitu ambacho hakina budi kuthaminiwa na kusherehekewa. Hata hivyo, hii haihitaji kuja kwa gharama ya kukosa umahiri wa Kiingereza. Badala yake, tunapaswa kufanya jitihada za kuwa watashisemi, wenye uwezo wa kuhamili baina ya lugha kiwepesi na weledi kadiri hali inavyodai.
Aidha, faida za umahiri wa Kiingereza ni nyingi. Inaweza kufungua milango ili kuipata elimu ya juu, nafasi bora za kazi, na kuongeza mwingiliano wa kijamii. Inaweza kuchagiza mawasiliano na watu kutoka tamaduni na asili tofauti, na kukuza hisia ya uraia wa kimataifa.
Nakusihini, basi, kuondoa vizuizi vyenu vya lugha na kupokea amana lukuki za lugha ya Kiingereza. Hebu tusitenzwe na mipaka ya lugha yetu mama, bali tuitumie kama chupio la kujiteleka kwenye ulimwengu mpana zaidi. Hebu tuwe mabalozi fasaha na madhubuti wa taifa letu, wenye uwezo wa kuuambika ulimwengu kwa vigezo vyake wenyewe.
Katika kuhitimisha, hebu tukumbuke maneno kuntu ya mwanafalsafa na Mswahili mzalendo, Mwalimu Nyerere:
^Wapo watu wasiosadiki kwamba jambo lolote la maana linaweza kuandikwa kwa Kiswahili. Lakini si kweli kusema kwamba Kiswahili hakiwezi kutumika katika uandishi wa vitabu mbalimbali vinavyohusu taaluma.^
^Ni wajibu wetu sote kujaribu kadiri tuwezavyo kuikuza lugha yetu katika kuandika, kusema na katika kuwaza.^
^Nchi za Afrika Mashariki zina lugha moja ya Kiswahili yenye nguvu ya kuiunganisha Afrika na kuunda Shirikisho la nchi za Afrika.^
^Kiingereza ni Kiswahili cha dunia. Ni makosa kukiachia Kiingereza kife. Kukiachia ni ujinga, siyo uzalendo.^
Hebu tusiruhusu mipaka yetu ya kiisimu ituzuie kukidhi matakwa ya kizalendo. Badala yake, hebu tukubali utajiri na uanuwai wa lugha ya Kiingereza, halafu tukitumie kujirafidhi kuelekea kwenye mustakabali bora zaidi.