WAS SHE WRONG TO TELL CALLER NOT TO USE LOZI- Larry Mweetwa
There could have been a smoother way to handle the language situation at the event.
A caller greeted the panel in Lozi, and while they may not have intended to use Lozi for the entire discussion, it sparked a response from one of the panelists.
Perhaps a more diplomatic approach could have been used in addressing the language preference. Just because someone uses a specific language for greetings doesn’t necessarily mean they want the entire conversation to be conducted in that language.
This situation offers valuable lessons about cultural sensitivity and effective communication in a multilingual environment
Margret Chisulo’s directive to use only Bemba or Nyanja and her insistence on dictating the language choice were inappropriate. Although the caller greeted in Lozi, it wasn’t necessarily an indication of their language preference for the entire discussion. One of the panelists showed familiarity with Lozi.
Chisulo could have responded more diplomatically instead of being so direct. Simply greeting in a particular language doesn’t commit someone to using it exclusively. There are important lessons to be gleaned from this situation.
In my opinion, I agree with you that she was wrong especially the approach to used to brush away the caller. ZNBC is a national Broadcaster and it is very sad that some languages can’t be accepted to participate freely in English programmes not as a policy but because some moderators like the young lady can’t understand those languages. So the moderator is the one who has a problem and pushed it to the caller who didn’t have a problem. Learning a language is just out of one’s own interest and if you have no interest in learning a language or some languages, it still remains your own problem. The caller just greeted the panel in Lozi, she had not even said anything yet, and from there she was put off, that was very sad. Why are some people so pompous that even just to greet or answer a greeting of another language rather than Bemba or Nyanja is a problem to them and yet they expect other people to answer in those two languages even when they don’t speak them. Even if the language is widely spoken, that alone is not a justification enough to impose it on others who may not understand or speak it. This time the educational system has divided the country into zones and the learners learn in vernacular the first four years if I am not mistaken. So let it be norm to respect each other’s language. From now going forward, ZNBC should have a clear position on this matter, either to restrict all English programmes to English only or allow other languages as well as opposed to allowing only two, it’s unfair. If the moderator is stuck with a language, let him/her seek help from either the panel or the listeners. Alternatively, the moderator can summon one of the many announcers in that section so that at the end of the day, the client is not disadvantaged. ZNBC is a one stop office for all the Zambian languages, we don’t want excuses in future. As for now and speaking on my own behalf, I have forgiven the moderator, we all make mistakes as human beings and God keeps on forgiving us.
You started off very well and I agree with most of what you were saying. However, I am not sure what you’re forgiving Margaret Chisilu for. The woman has not even apologised or shown remorse and you have already forgiven her, what for? Suppose she repeats her offence with that pomposity she has already shown us?
The woman needs to face disciplinary action from her employers. She doesn’t own ZNBC and cant be determining which tribes are allowed in the air; that’s beyond her job description! Idyot.