Uka Nwafor
Many have asked me, time and again, about the essence of those energy-sapping efforts devoted to learning correct English—especially when those who never so much as touched the walls of a schoolhouse often live more comfortably than those who speak and write the Queen’s English with finesse.
My response has remained unchanged: the true value lies not in material returns, but in the unpurchaseable enlightenment and vulnerability to opportunities that mastery of language bestows. The popular refrain, “Who English epp?” or “It’s a scam,” is merely the lament of those still cloaked in the comforting benightment of ignorance.
In our modern world, the pursuit of wealth has become the supreme ambition. Society often measures value and success by the heaviness of one’s purse rather than the depth of one’s mind. Yet, in this feverish race for material gain, we risk overlooking a treasure far more enduring—the ability to speak and write good English. Language, particularly English—the world’s current linguistic monarch—is an indispensable vessel for the preservation and propagation of culture and intellect across borders.
Good English is not merely a skill; it is an art. Words, when chosen with care and arranged with grace, possess a rare power—to inspire, to heal, and to connect. A well-crafted sentence can traverse oceans of difference, bind strangers with understanding, and preserve the essence of human thought for generations yet unborn. To write or speak English with clarity and elegance is to paint with both sound and ink—to turn ordinary thoughts into something memorable and immortal.
Beyond its aesthetic allure, English is also a global bridge. Its influence in the international arena is immense and irresistible. It connects peoples and cultures, unlocking doors that wealth alone cannot open. The one who commands the language well can converse across continents, shape opinions, and stand with poise on any stage in the world.
In a globalized society, proficiency in English brings innumerable advantages. It enhances access to education, broadens employment prospects, and empowers leadership. Many of the world’s foremost universities, research publications, and international enterprises function primarily in English. Thus, those who express themselves with eloquence are often perceived as more competent, confident, and credible—regardless of their financial standing.
Moreover, good English cultivates critical thought. To write and speak with precision demands structure, logic, and clarity—qualities that mold disciplined minds. Those who can reason clearly and communicate effectively often emerge as leaders, innovators, and visionaries.
Yet, modern society has grown to glorify wealth more than wisdom and knowledge. People chase quick riches, neglecting the quiet disciplines that polish the intellect and nurture the soul. But while money can vanish as swiftly as it comes, mastery of language endures. It commands respect, opens unseen doors, and often becomes the very tool through which fortune is later found.
A rich man may purchase influence, but the writer wields a sharper weapon: the pen. Eloquence in speech and grace in writing can move nations, mend hearts, and stir revolutions—powers no wealth can ever buy.
Good English, both spoken and written, stands not merely as a badge of education but as a testament to intellectual and cultural strength. While money may make life comfortable, mastery of language renders it meaningful. True success lies not only in earning wealth, but also in earning words that uplift, enlighten, and endure.
So, the next time we admire a person for their riches, let us also honour those whose words enrich the world. For they possess a kind of wealth that neither time nor inflation can diminish—the priceless wealth of good English.
