(Feature)
By: Saidu Jalloh (Intern)
The uses of profane and obscene language in Sierra Leone have become endemic and significant issues that must be taken with utmost importance. Profanity especially has become part of us at home, Schools, Office, business, Bar& Relaxation centers etc.
However, some use profanity for a variety of reasons, such as anger distress or frustration as a justification.
The home is the first center for educating a child and whatever is been said from our first teachers (Mothers) that child assimilate and digest them for future referencing in schools and within the household.
Profanity is better explained as language that is considered socially offensive due to being vulgar, obscene, or irreverent. The term profanity is often used in a religious sense to refer to language that is blasphemous, sacrilegious, or sometimes merely secular.
On the other hand, Sierra Leoneans are well known for morality, dignity and respectful but in recent years profane and obscene languages have clouded our sense of reasoning to the point that people use obscene tone of voice in public places at the slightest opportunity they get. This has been the norm for many Sierra Leoneans; using obscene words on others bring them solace. It is degenerating to see both young and old people losing their morality. People tend to vent their feelings in different situations, whether in joyous mood, sadness, anger, humorous or even surprises, the use of F** language will surface, and it is the standard that appears in various conservation amongst young and aged people.
Profane and obscene languages have affected is being permeated in market, schools, public transport, offices, compounds and everywhere. Morality has lost its power in Sierra Leone. People you consider as example to society are fanning the flaming of “Mamie Curse” and will broadcast it on social media for everyone ‘to learn’ and to influence moral upbringings.
Last week, I was in a taxi coming to town when a Bike Rider happened to drive us badly, the next world I heard from the taxi driver was a motherly invective. Then I ask myself, “Where are we heading to? What kind of legacy are we passing on to the next generation?
I think we should do better as a nation. Demoralizing our women, abusing our leaders is something that must be curbed for us to have a better nation. “A nation will not prosper if its people continue to abuse its leaders. Leaders are chosen from God, so they must be respected”.
However, we should do better as a nation to curb this menace. Educating our children in eliminating or reducing profane and obscene words should start at home. Parents should know the type of words they use when their children are around. Ethics and morality should be taught from primary to secondary schools so that children will know what is wrong and right. What language are they supposed to use on their colleagues when they get angry. They must be taught that expletive words should not be use in anytime of their life.
Moreover, government should draft laws that punish people who use obscene and profane words loosely or in public places, or if there is any they should enforce it. Obscene words should have no place in our society. The media should be regulated on content publish especially social media.
Furthermore, Religious leaders should sensitize their people to abstain from using profane words and the dangers it creates in society. They have a big role to play in this fight to curb this menace. Most people tend to listen or believe their religious leaders than anyone else.
We can get it right again. Sierra Leone can gain its morality if all we adhere to morality!