African Languages as a Gateway to Sustainable Development, Democracy and Freedom: The Example of Swahili
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Kwazulu-Natal
Abstract
The African Academy of Languages conceptualizes African integration and
development through African languages. It is through African languages that
the continent will restore its dignity and respect. In East Africa, Swahili
resisted the waves of imperial culture to claim its rightful position. The
language is growing and spreading, embracing on its way the elements of
Ubuntu and ‘Africanness’ which makes it accepted from one country to
another. Following the example of Kiswahili’s linguistic and literary
affluence, the paper argues that African languages demonstrate the potential
not only for Africa’s integration, but indeed the ability to maintain peace and
mutual understanding and respect. Combining with economic prospects,
African languages such as Kiswahili are likely to stand for, and boost African
development. Using the Ubuntu theory as developed by Horace Campbell
(2010), the paper looks into the possible reasons for the spread of Kiswahili
in different nations in modern times, and the rationale for its acceptance in a
multilingual African environment. The paper calls for the policy makers in
Africa to give priority to African languages, paving the way to a realistic
education system, freedom of expression, stimulation of innovative ideas and
creativity, and the ultimate development of the African people
Description
Keywords
Sustainable development, Democracy, ,Freedom, African languages, Swahili, Ubuntu
Citation
Mutembei, Aldin. "African Languages as a Gateway to Sustainable Development, Democracy and Freedom: The Example of Swahili." EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Johannes A Smit (UKZN) Judith Lütge Coullie (UKZN) Editorial Assistant: Beverly Vencatsamy: 326.