Popular playwright, actor, dramatist and cultural activist, Prof. Akinwunmi Isola, has said that Yoruba language is bedridden.
Isola, a Professor of Yoruba language, said this during a dinner organised in honour of traditional rulers that attended Oodu’a Children’s Day celebration in Osogbo.
He said, “Language is culture, and if a language is sick, then such culture is sick. Yoruba language is currently sick.
“When we talk about a culture, language is the key. It is the vehicle with which culture is driven. Without language, there is no culture,” he noted.
“Yoruba has a very rich culture that we can teach the whole world. We are the custodian of ‘virtue as a culture’ and one the world can benefit from.”
Isola charged traditional rulers, who are the custodian of Yoruba culture and heritage, to prevent Yoruba language from going into extinction.
Meanwhile,the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, while speaking at the event commended the developmental strides of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The traditional rulers noted that the governor had achieved infrastructural development in the state since he assumed office.
Yoruba language is currently sick – Professor Akinwunmi Isola
