According to UNESCO, more than 40% of the world’s languages are at risk of disappearing, many of which are African. As new generations adopt languages such as English, French, or Portuguese for education and employment, the transmission of mother tongues within households is declining.
Africa is a continent of immeasurable wealth, not only in natural resources and culture but also in linguistic diversity. With over 2,000 languages spoken across the continent, our identity is woven through words passed down from generation to generation. However, many of our languages are at risk of extinction. Globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of colonial languages threaten to erase centuries of history and knowledge embedded in our words. On this International Mother Language Day, Africanian News raises its voice for the preservation of our languages, which are much more than just a means of communication: they are our essence.
Language Is Identity
Every word in an African language carries a story. In Swahili, the word ujamaa (solidarity) reflects the importance of community in our daily lives. In Wolof, teranga represents the hospitality that defines Senegal.
Equatorial Guinea: Mother Tongue Ëvóvë/Ëbóbë — Bariobé 2024
African languages are not only expressions of identity but also vehicles for transmitting ancestral knowledge about traditional medicine, sustainable agriculture, and philosophy. The disappearance of a language means the loss of these fundamental insights, which are essential for the continent’s development on our own terms and values.
The Danger of Linguistic Extinction
Governments and educational institutions play a key role in promoting our languages. The inclusion of African languages in educational curricula, the creation of digital content, and the production of literature in local languages are key strategies for their preservation.
The Future of Our Languages: Did You Know…
- Educating in Mother Tongues: It is proven that children learn better when taught in their native language. Countries like Tanzania have successfully implemented the use of Swahili in schools, demonstrating its effectiveness.
- Promoting Digital Content in African Languages: Digital platforms could include more content in our languages. Apps like Google Translate have started integrating African languages, but more local initiatives are needed.
- Speaking Our Languages at Home, Social Gatherings, and in the Workplace: Reinforces their value and helps keep them alive across generations.
- Creating and Consuming Media in Our Languages: Music, movies, podcasts, and books in African languages can ensure that our cultures remain alive in the 21st century.
Preserving our languages is not only a cultural duty but also an act of resistance and self-determination. Every African, no matter where they are in the world, has the responsibility to speak, teach, and celebrate their culture and mother tongue. It is through this preservation that our identities and heritage will continue to flourish for generations to come.
