Luanda — The 2nd Scientific Events of the Faculty of Letters of the Agostinho University (UAN) Thursday in Luanda highlighted the importance of the teaching of vernacular languages in the country as "mirrors of the Angolan culture".

The events that are going with the motto "Letters and the transversalities of knowledge" include discussions of matters concerning the transmission of knowledge in vernacular languages.

Solene Cristo, a participant, said that taking into account the importance of the vernacular languages, there is need for them to be more valorised, mainly among the youths.

According to the student, various factors impede the youths from learning the vernacular languages, including the devaluation as many seek other cultures and place aside what is Angolan.

In her turn, Maria Nkembe, a finalist in Portuguese Literature, said that partly the problem facing the process of learning of vernacular languages rests with the phenomenon of globalisation that is seen by many as absorption of foreign values alone.

Benjamim Fernandes, a teacher of Portuguese and Bantu languages, praised the regions of the country where vernacular languages are taught from childhood within the family.

He also praised the Government of Angola for its engagement in the teaching of vernacular languages, mentioning the Faculty of Letters that is running such courses of Kikongo, Kimbundo, Tchokwé and Umbumdo.