Language Barricade

For refugees, language is a necessity to survive and integrate into a new society; however, not knowing the language may lead to violence

- Priyanka Borpujari

A few years ago in London, without a local phone and late for a rendezvous with a friend, I attempted to call him from a public phone booth. My coins were being swallowed up but the call would not connect. I asked passersby if I could borrow their phone, but they walked away. When I did meet my friend with tears of relief, he told me that I needed to add zero as a prefix! It made me wonder that if someone as privileged as I had felt utterly helpless—even where the language was my own—what would be the endless tales of those who attempt to weave themselves into the fabric of a society where their existence might invoke wrath? 

“Speak our language!” is thrown at refugees no matter where they attempt to settle in. Gordon Ogutu, a Kenyan researcher based in Ireland, has seen how language, as the necessity to survive, connect and integrate into a new society, is also used to commit violence. Its absence also leads to violence. While working in Kakuma refugee camp in northwest Kenya—operational since three decades and home to 300,000 people from 19 nationalities—he saw how English was more vital for the refugees than Kiswahili, if they were to explore economic opportunities. But conflicts were a result of people allocated spaces with someone they do not share the language or culture with.