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The international Day of the Kiswahili Language

Writer's picture: canhandulacanhandula

I come from a Province in Mozambique, where I did not hear about Kiswahili until 1978, when I was recruited from my teaching career by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Maputo, to go to Tanzania and graduate in International Relations, by the Tanzania-Mozambique Centre for Foreign Relations in Kurasini, Dar-es-Salaam. And that recruitment was also on the basis that I knew a few languages and the Ministry was looking for multi-linguists to be trained as diplomats. And in 1981, I entered the Foreign Service of Mozambique as a junior Diplomat. I never went beyond being a junior diplomat, because after seven years of service, I de-camped and went on to serve in the United Nations (High Commissioner for Refugees), until my retirement from public service.


In Dar-es-Salaam, not only did I (we) get exposed to the language, but I took a particular interest since languages were also my line of specialization. And I came to understand the depth of the language, as well as the space we in Africa occupy in the concert of nations, mostly dominated by languages that are from other Continents: Imperial and colonial languages such as English, French, Spanish, as well as Russian, Chinese and Arabic. None of which is African. And international transactions are taking place in these languages. Now, it is important to understand that language is not just a cultural tool of affirmation. it is also a communication tool. Communicating requires the understanding of what is said, what is not said, how it is said, cultural drifts (les tournures du langage). Of course, we have to express ourselves in a language that others understand. But others also do need to understand us in our context, in our culture.


So, the designation by UNESCO of a World Kishwahili Day is a positive development recognizing that language is an affirmation. Africa needs to push the envelope now. Let me explain: while we celebrate World Kiswahili Day, let us not forget that celebrating alone will not take Kiswahili any further than that: one day per year. it is entertaining but not nearly enough. And who will "bell the cat"? How does one "bell this cat"?


  1. It is done by investing in making it, first, a regional language: And the arguments are clear. Today, we are talking of some 200 million people who speak Swahili in Africa. Mostly in East Africa certainly, but a good basis for expanding continentally.

  2. Secondly by making it international, the best entry points for its internationalization would be to foster its use in international institutions, especially organizations of the UN System that promote hundreds of international Conferences, the best way of promoting a language.

  3. Thirdly by understanding that the promotion of a language among nations requires three specializations: translation, interpretation, and proofreading. That is where money is spent, serious money, academic money.


It is both an academic endeavour and a substantial financial investment in training a corps of linguistics experts in these specializations (translation, interpretation and proofreading) to serve these conferences and expand the use of the language.


So, let us not think that by celebrating, it will happen. And that it will be adopted by clamouring for its adoption. English and French were expanded through the obtuse colonial project, and also through purposeful programmes through the British Council and the Alliance Francaise. The Chinese have their Confucius Institute, etc.


So, who will take the lead? A country or a coalition of countries, no less! I made this point in an earlier article that is still in this site of mine. May I offer another reading of my authorship (below) of the times when I was a prolific writer after a day's work serving refugees and advocating for them!


Cheers


Jose, 12 July 2023



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