I opened his Car door and sat at the passenger Seat he Said something in danish language which i didn’t understand, my face ridiculed with bewilderment in seek of answers thinking that it’s related to my ten munites late to his work appointment…… You have lived in this country for ten years yet you do not speak dansk he Said ironically with smiles on his face; immediately i felt a sense of guilt as i was caught off guard by his speech which was falsely true. How do i explain Reasons behind my not speaking Dansk or even any other European language fluently to him!! I struggled to shake off the guilt by saying… it’s difficult language to learn. ** I Will teach you if you want But you have to pay me Four kroner.. ^^hahaha i laughed ***just Four kroner? ( i playfully asked in return to his humor) like many of his antics his humor and honesty are sine qua non because he has a special Way with words that always Got me laughing to my stomach. I was not expecting a rhetoric of such Nature so after laughing i felt a little bad of which he has no blame of any kind.
He was right. I should and supposed to speak as Well understand the language of this country by now especially having lived here for almost a decade; its a Common fact that majority of African migrants like myself do not speak the language of the countries that harbors Us which is appalling in every Way.
Language Communication is essential for integration and growth in any society But even more essential for healthy Living; In most cases language systematically reduces the level Humans mischievousness and unwarranted attack towards non speakers or indigenes as the case maybe.
The benefits that accrues to individuals that speak; understands Their host country’s language are numerous, the ability to speak and understand the language of the Locals pave ways and enhances understanding of the environment, culture, and ways of life of people of host country. It allow Them to socialize easily and effectively in some case as Everyone prefers people they Can easily interact with and this is not unknown to migrants of my kind.
However if the benefits of language is Well known to African migrants in Europe Why do they ignore or reject the assimilation at Their own detriment?? A question with a million unheard Cries and answers. *** I asked myself again. How do i explain the Reason behind my not speaking dansk or even any other European language fluently to him!? Because my prior excuse (of dansk being difficult) holds no water even though it’s truth.
Migrants from Africa are mostly affected by language barrier and assimilation in Europe due to some unspeakable circumstances they encounter at the initial phase of Their migration with exceptional case of a selected few.
Asylum process for African migrants in some European States are skewed and inhumane . Most asylum seekers of African descent spend years on process with out knowing Their fate;They are refused working permit and other social benefits; live in fear of rejection and possible repatriation to Their country of origin if the decision of asylum comes negative. Majority of africans migrants evades deportation by seeking refuges from One European State to another before finally achieving Their Ultimate goal which is obtaining resident permit.
These circumstances together with Age, family, mental stress and other unforeseen conditions directly or indirectly affects Their ability and desire of learning, speaking and understanding Their host country’s language fluently as Well increase Their vulnerabilities of mischiefs. Language assimilation is vital in any given society But it’s enhancement is only possible in Secured environment and peaceful mindset.
However i advice the future European bound migrants if any; to Endeavour to make learning of Their host country’s language a priority irrespective of the difficulties the circumstances; it’s to Their best interest and benefits, mentally, socially, even Security wise.
It is a difficult language You know But i do speak little of German and spanish, and very little of dansk But i Will have to improve in my danish learning i ended up saying as We both laugh while he drives
**** from beauty of the inner strength
the untold Realities 