Fâ Priest Prost Ardant DJENONTIN, a researcher in classical humanities, has raised a critical issue regarding the relationship between language and civic engagement in Benin. During his intervention on Le Grand Rendez-vous on Canal 3 Bénin, he highlighted how the predominance of French as the official language creates a significant barrier to democratic participation for a large portion of the Beninese population. His advocacy focuses on making legislative texts more accessible through translation and popularization in national languages, thereby fostering greater civic engagement.
Ardant-Prost DJENONTIN argues that citizenship goes beyond merely holding a nationality. It requires understanding the principles that govern society and being able to exercise one’s rights and responsibilities. However, in Benin, the widespread lack of proficiency in French among the population prevents many from comprehending legislative texts. This linguistic barrier excludes them from public debates and limits their political participation. He poignantly asks, “How can one engage in a system whose rules they do not understand?”
The challenge is compounded by two factors: the inaccessibility of legal language to a significant portion of the population and the failure of those who could explain the laws to act as civic educators. This disconnect between institutions and citizens deepens public disinterest in governance and increases susceptibility to political manipulation.
The consequences of this linguistic exclusion are far-reaching. They include a lack of awareness of fundamental rights, low voter turnout, and a weakened relationship between the people and their leaders. In a democracy that relies on the active participation of all citizens, such exclusion undermines the foundations of representative governance.
To address these issues, Ardant-Prost DJENONTIN proposes several solutions. These include translating legal texts into local languages, enhancing civic education through accessible programs, and involving media and community leaders in the dissemination of legal knowledge. He also advocates for the establishment of Social Transformation Centers, which would bridge social divides by involving retirees in the transmission of civic and legal knowledge. This initiative would not only leverage the wisdom of elders but also strengthen intergenerational bonds in the development of informed citizens.
Additionally, Ardant-Prost DJENONTIN emphasizes the need to reform the informal sector, which persists largely due to a lack of understanding of the laws governing the formal economy. These laws, written in French, are often incomprehensible to many economic actors, preventing them from structuring their activities and benefiting from the opportunities provided by a clear legal framework. Adapting these regulations to the sociolinguistic realities of the country could facilitate a transition to a more organized and inclusive economy.
Ardant-Prost DJENONTIN’s advocacy underscores a fundamental challenge for Benin’s democracy: without linguistic reform to make laws more accessible to citizens, the ideal of inclusive political participation will remain unattainable. His call invites reflection on how to adapt legal tools to the country’s sociolinguistic realities, transforming language from a barrier into a tool for empowerment and civic engagement.
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