Rawad Amer’s Post

🌍🗣️ Celebrating the Linguistic Diversity of Nigeria! Did you know that Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 525 native languages? The major native languages, in terms of population, are Hausa (over 80 million speakers), Yoruba (over 54 million speakers), and Igbo (over 42 million speakers). In addition to these, there are several other languages spoken by millions, including Ijaw, Igala, Urhobo, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tiv, Nupe, and others. This linguistic diversity is a microcosm of much of Africa as a whole, and the country contains languages from the three major African language families: Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and Niger–Congo. However, many Nigerians struggle with English, and there are fears from prominent linguists that Nigerian native languages are endangered and face eventual extinction. This is where our mission comes in. We believe in the importance of teaching children their native tongues to instill a sense of identity and belonging. By championing indigenous languages, we can help preserve this rich linguistic heritage and ensure that future generations can enjoy the cultural wealth embedded in these languages. Let’s work together to keep these languages alive and thriving! #Nigeria #Africa #Languages #IndigenousLanguages #Education #Culture

🌍 Exploring the Indigenous Languages of Kenya! Kenya, a vibrant country in East Africa, is a linguistic paradise with over 68 native languages. While English and Swahili are the official languages, the soul of Kenya’s cultural heritage is deeply rooted in its indigenous languages. Let’s delve into some of them: 💎 Kikuyu: Spoken by the Agikuyu ethnic group, Kikuyu is one of the major regional languages in Kenya with an estimated 8.1 million native speakers. 💎 Luhya: This language is spoken by the Luhya ethnic group with an estimated 10 million speakers. 💎 Dholuo: With 5 million speakers, Dholuo is integral to the cultural fabric of Kenya. 💎 Kalenjin: This language is spoken by the Kalenjin ethnic group with an estimated 4.6 million speakers. Interestingly, Kenya’s languages belong to three broad language families: Niger-Congo (Bantu branch), Nilo-Saharan (Nilotic branch), and Afroasiatic (Cushitic). This linguistic diversity mirrors much of Africa as a whole. Language is not just a means of communication, but a bridge to our heritage and identity. 🌉🗣️📚 #Kenya #IndigenousLanguages #AfricanLanguages #LinguisticDiversity

On World Swahili Language Day, we celebrate one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, with over 100 million speakers across many countries. Here are some fascinating facts about Swahili: ·      Historical Significance: Swahili emerged as a trade language along the East African coast, blending local Bantu dialects with Arabic and Persian due to interactions with traders. ·      Official Status: It's recognized as an official or national language in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is also spoken in countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and Mozambique. ·      Linguistic Diversity: The language has many regional dialects, reflecting the rich diversity of the cultures that use it. ·      Cultural Influence: Swahili phrases like "Hakuna Matata" and "Safari" have found their way into global culture, enhancing its reach and impact. At Bromberg & Associates, we value linguistic diversity and are committed to offering expert Swahili language services to deliver language access to Swahili speakers nationwide and globally. #WorldSwahiliLanguageDay #LanguagePreservation

Over 3,000 languages are spoken in Africa - from rare and exotic tongues to some of the world’s most common languages. Of the top 10 languages spoken in Africa, two are European. It may come as a surprise to many that the English language is nowhere on the list. The most common language in the continent is Arabic with over 300 million people using this language in Africa. Arabic is a Semitic language and is an official language in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Libya, and Eritrea. It’s also widely spoken in many other countries. The next in line is French with 120 million people in Africa speaking the European language. French can get you pretty far in many African countries, especially in North, West and Central Africa, where a number of countries were French colonies in the past. African French has unique features that take some getting used to. Its accents and vocabulary are heavily influenced by surrounding native African languages, and the resulting dialects are rather distinct. Hausa, one of Nigeria’s official languages, and a member of the Chadic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages is spoken by more than 50 million Africans as their first language. Other than Nigeria, Hausa is spoken in Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, and Chad. Hausa makes to the list of most spoken languages in Africa due to its significance in trade, commerce, and business across Nigeria and the West African region. Besides that, it is one of the few African languages that is taught in International Universities due to the huge amount of literature that it possesses. The Top Ten Languages in Africa: 1. Arabic 2. French 3. Swahili 4. Hausa 5. Igbo 6. Yoruba 7. Berber 8. Oromo 9. Portuguese 10. Amharic ..................................................................................................... #showupcommunications #communication #languages #Africanlanguages #Africa  

Nasema Kiswahili kidogo! LINGUISTIC REALITIES OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT: Excluding the European languages of English and French - which together are spoken by approxiamately 24% of the African continental population, Africans use three major languages to communicate in the Motherland. As a member of the AfroAsiatic language family, Arabic is the most widely spoken language on the African continent, numbering150 million speakers ( or 17% of the African population). . Swahili is 2nd on the list of such languages, at 100 million, and interestingly enough - having no written script of its own - Kiswahili is written in Arabic text. Swahili is spoken by 10% of Africans Hausa is third on the list , spoken by some 63 million people, or 5% of continental Africans. Together these three languages constiture 32% of languages spoken in the Motherland For more specific information read here: https://lnkd.in/eXpie6Z2

The language of instruction debate in Tanzania: What is the choice of citizens amongst the international languages? After seven years of the implementation of the 2014 education and training policy, this policy brief explores the choice of citizens of the medium of instruction amongst the international languages. The international languages are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Kiswahili, and Portuguese. The findings will inform the debate on language of instruction in Tanzania, implementation and review of the policy. 👉https://lnkd.in/dc3s-HF2 (REPOA) #CenterForaAdvocacyAndGlobalGrowth

Languages that make up Uganda’s diverse cultural scene Uganda’s official language, English, is spoken as a second language by most educated Ugandans. More than 33 local dialects are spoken in different parts of the country. Most of them belong to the Bantu ethnic group; the mostly spoken include Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankole, and Rukiga. A number of Nilotic and Cushitic languages are spoken in the north and east, some of them by a few thousand people. An unusual language in the extreme northeast is Karamojong, which has a vocabulary of only 180 words. Many Ugandans speak a limited amount of Kiswahili, a coastal language that spread into the far African interior through the 19th-century Arab slave traders. Although many Ugandans speak more than 2 languages, few Ugandans speak any indigenous language other than their home languages. Kiswahili and English are the most useful languages for tourists and are widely used by Ugandans of different linguistic backgrounds

Languages that make up Uganda’s diverse cultural scene Uganda’s official language, English, is spoken as a second language by most educated Ugandans. More than 33 local dialects are spoken in different parts of the country. Most of them belong to the Bantu ethnic group; the mostly spoken include Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankole, and Rukiga. A number of Nilotic and Cushitic languages are spoken in the north and east, some of them by a few thousand people. An unusual language in the extreme northeast is Karamojong, which has a vocabulary of only 180 words. Many Ugandans speak a limited amount of Kiswahili, a coastal language that spread into the far African interior through the 19th-century Arab slave traders. Although many Ugandans speak more than 2 languages, few Ugandans speak any indigenous language other than their home languages. Kiswahili and English are the most useful languages for tourists and are widely used by Ugandans of different linguistic backgrounds

What do you think are the 3 most widely spoken languages in Ghana? Akan (Twi & Fante): With over 20 million speakers, the Akan family of languages are the most widely spoken languages in Ghana. It encompasses several dialects, including Twi, Fante, and Akuapem, and holds significant cultural importance, especially among the Akan ethnic group. Ewe: Spoken primarily in the Volta Region of Ghana, Ewe is another prominent language with approximately 3 million speakers. It's also spoken in neighboring Togo and parts of Benin, highlighting its regional significance. Dangme: An integral part of Ghana's cultural mosaic. There are over 1.5 million speakers of this language mostly in the southern part of the country. Spoken primarily by the Dangme people in the Greater Accra Region, this language embodies centuries of tradition and identity. #akanlanguage #GhanaCulture #LanguageHeritage #twi #fante #ghana #accra

Hey fam, check out this insightful post by my colleague Tayo Ajimoko about the importance of preserving African languages. 🗣️ Every two weeks, one of the world's languages disappears, and it’s crucial we take steps to learn and pass on our native languages despite the challenges of colonialism, immigration, and racism. 🌐 Tayo suggests exploring languages like Yoruba, Swahili, and many more instead of just sticking to colonial languages. Let’s embrace our heritage and make sure our languages thrive! Swipe left for resources and let me know what language you’re thinking of picking up! 🎓📚✊🏾 #LanguageRevival #EmbraceYourRoots