A Global Foundation For a Global Language
Kiswahili is one of the most widely used languages of the African family, and the most widely spoken in sub-Saharan Africa. With more than 200 million speakers, it ranks among the 10 most widely spoken languages in the world. The language is one of the lingua franca in many countries within East, Central and Southern Africa as well as in the Middle East. It is also taught across major universities and colleges globally.
The background
In the 1950s the United Nations established the Kiswahili language unit of United Nations Radio, and today Kiswahili is the only African language within the Directorate of the Global Communications at the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 71/328 of 11 September 2017, on multilingualism, welcomed implementation of a day dedicated to each of its official languages in order to inform and raise awareness of their history, culture and use, and encouraged the Secretary-General and institutions such as UNESCO to consider extending this important initiative to other non-official languages spoken throughout the world.
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In that regard, the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO adopted a common ground that recognized the role the Kiswahili language plays in promoting cultural diversity, creating awareness and fostering dialogue among civilizations and noted the need to promote multilingualism as a core value of the United Nations and an essential factor in harmonious communication between peoples, which promotes unity in diversity and international understanding, tolerance and dialogue. The resolution proclaimed 7th July of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day. Kiswahili is the first African language to the recognized in such a manner by the UN.
The Role of Kiswahili Day in Development And Growth of Kiswahili
On November 23, 2021, the United Nations designated July 7 as the World Kiswahili Language Day — the official day to celebrate the Swahili language. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) made the announcement during its 41st Member States’ session held in Paris, France.
Kiswahili is a language that speaks to both past and present. With over 200 million speakers, it is one of the most widely used African languages, encompassing more than a dozen main dialects. Over the centuries, this Bantu language has emerged as a common form of communication in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to the Middle East.
The day puts Kiswahili as a global language, having grown in leaps and bounds, bringing together different people from diferent backgrounds. The global attention is an instant reminder of the cultural and economic role the language ought to play. English, spoken by 1.2 billion people, has much wider coverage and usage compared to Kiswahili language. However, this recognition is a sure kick in the right direction for Kiswahili to increase its coverage and usage. Today, the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) have adopted Kiswahili as an official language, upholding its identity and respect among its speakers globally.
Tanzania gone ahead to set aside an area of 100 acres for the construction of a Kiswahili university in Bagamoyo district in Pwani Region. This institution will also serve as a cultural center.
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Kiswahili in East African Community
EAC has even gone further by forming the East African Kiswahili. The institution was established by the Community to coordinate all matters pertaining to the language in terms of research, teaching, learning and development.
Kenya marked this day with pomp and colour. Celebrations started with a media brief on the steps of KICC. Key notable Kiswahili experts(Prof Iribe Mwangi, Prof Njogu Kimani, Prof Rayya Timmamy, Prof Sheila Ryanga,Nuhu Bakari) and leaders from the government led by Hon Najib Balala,CS for Tourism, Dr Jwan(PS Basic Education) and Gen Badi(NMS Metropolitan) graced the occassion. The climax of the event took place at Nairobi National Museum.
But Why July 7?
Tanzania played a critical role in requesting this specific day because on 7 July 1954, the Tanganyika African National Union —the ruling party of then Tanganyika—led by Julius Nyerere, declared Swahili as an important tool in the fight for independence.
Moving forward
With its origin in East Africa, Swahili speakers spread over more than 14 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Comoros, and as far as Oman and Yemen in the Middle East.
Southern African countries such as South Africa and Botswana have introduced it in schools, while Namibia and others are considering doing so. More than 100 universities, colleges and schools in the US will offer Swahili as a course.
Why Kiswahili Must Compete as A Global Language
Despite the global attention Kiswahili has received, it is important not to downplay the need for a country to push for a multilingual society especially in this 21st Centurty globalised world.
Today, nearly a half of China’s population of 1.4 billion now speak English unlike a few decades ago. Globally, English speakers include one billion native speakers and about over two billion people who speak it as a second language. Majority of French for historical reasons had for generations looked down on English but that it was no longer the case.
Millions of French people known for their obsession to culture, fashion and elegance, have been forced to learn “and speak” the Queen’s language. That tells you how learning and adopting different languages in a society today is crucial..
For Kiswahili to compete globally, its speakers must be deliberate in their efforts to promote the language in terms of business, industrialization and digital transformation-just like English and French.
Politicizing the Kiswahili debate at the expense of other global languages that are key for communication and diplomacy will be detrimental to its growth and development.
