Kiswahili has a bright future despite many barriers to growth

A question was once posed by revered Kiswahili scholar, writer and journalist, the late Ken Walibora at a Kiswahili conference. "Tunajenga nyumba moja, kwa nini tupiganie fito?” “We are building one house, why then should we fight over rafters?”

The house in this context was Kiswahili language, and the builders were its enthusiasts and crusaders – individuals, learning institutions and organisations. The fight, according to Prof Walibora, who died in a road mishap in Nairobi in 2020, was unnecessary competition among champions of Kiswahili.

As Kenya hosts World Kiswahili Day between July 5-7, it provides an opportunity not only to reflect deeply on Walibora’s words, but also his dream of uniting Kiswahili enthusiasts and strengthening institutions that are mandated to push its agenda.

President William Ruto is expected to grace the occasion in Mombasa on Monday. This is a good gesture from the President unlike last year, when the day was marked without political symbolism.

For more than two decades, Kenya has been struggling to establish the National Kiswahili Council -- Baraza la Kiswahili la Kenya (BAKIKE) -- a constitutional body that is supposed to champion matters Kiswahili. This, arguably, has been due to political unwillingness.

Being one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, Kiswahili holds a significant place in the cultural and social fabric of the continent. With over 200 million speakers, it is poised to serve as Africa’s lingua franca as was envisaged by founding fathers.

Scholars Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe (Nigeria), Mohamed Hassan Abdulaziz (Tanzania), Ali Mazrui, Okoth Okombo, Kimani Njogu, Rocha Chimerah (Kenya) among others have rooted for Kiswahili to take its rightful position in the continent.

Despite its prominence and potential, Kiswahili continues to encounter several challenges that negatively impact its development.

Prof Isaac Ipara Odeo, the Vice Chancellor of Kibabii University says bureaucrats and the political class are failing the language.

The scholar says the delay in implementing policies, including the establishment of the National Kiswahili Council is part of the bigger problem stifling its growth.

On a positive note, Prof Ipara says: “There are East African scholars teaching Kiswahili in universities across the globe including the  School of Oriental and African Studies, Bayreuth in Germany, St. Lawrence in USA, University of California, Osaka University in Japan just to mention but a few.”

Closer home, South Africa has incorporated Kiswahili in its school curriculum.

“By establishing constitutional organs such as the National Kiswahili Council, Kiswahili can be com-modified to earn this country a lot of foreign income,” argues Prof Odeo.    

One of the most significant challenges facing Kiswahili is the dominant use of English and other foreign languages as modes of communication, particularly in East African countries, except Tanzania.

In many East African countries, English is the primary language of instruction at school.  It is also the language of conducting government businesses. This dominance has undermined use of Kiswahili and limited its development.

Kiswahili has numerous dialects which pose a challenge for standardisation and mutual intelligibility. Efforts to standardise Kiswahili sometimes encounters resistance from speakers of local dialects who feel that their linguistic heritage is being sidelined. Balancing standardization with preservation of regional variations is a delicate task.

In the cyberspace, Kiswahili's use in scientific, technical, and academic fields is limited compared to English. This limitation hampers the language's ability to fully participate in global discourse on science and technology. The lack of technical terminology and resources in Kiswahili has been a barrier for students and professionals who wish to use the language in these fields.

In many parts of East Africa, Kiswahili is in competition with numerous indigenous languages. While Kiswahili serves as a unifying language, local languages play a crucial role in cultural identity and everyday communication. This competition can sometimes hinder adoption of Kiswahili, especially in rural areas where local languages are  deeply rooted.

Language policy and planning can significantly impact promotion and development of Kiswahili. Inconsistent or poorly implemented policies have in one way or the other impeded the language's growth.

Despite these challenges, there are prospects for the future of Kiswahili. These opportunities are driven by both regional developments and global trends.

One, as East African countries continue to deepen their cooperation through economic, political, and cultural initiatives, use of Kiswahili is bound to increase. Regional institutions and initiatives that promote Kiswahili can help reinforce its status and facilitate its growth as a unifying language.

Two, there are ongoing efforts to enhance the role of Kiswahili in education. Tanzania has made significant strides in use of Kiswahili as the medium of instruction at basic education level. Expanding these efforts to higher education and technical training can help increase the language's usage in academic and professional domains. 

Three, the rise of digital media and technology offers opportunities for promotion of Kiswahili. Social media platforms, websites, and mobile applications provide avenues for Kiswahili speakers to connect, share information, and create content. Technology can also aid in the development of Kiswahili-language resources such as online dictionaries, learning tools, and translation services, making the language more accessible to a global audience. 

Four, there is a growing interest in preserving and promoting African languages. This is driven by a recognition of the importance of linguistic diversity and the need to preserve cultural heritage. Efforts to promote Kiswahili literature, music, film, and art can help strengthen the language's cultural significance and appeal, especially among younger generations.

As East Africa experiences economic growth, the demand for a common language for trade and commerce is increasing. Kiswahili role as a lingua franca positions it well to meet this demand. Promoting Kiswahili in business and economic activities can enhance its utility and encourage more people to learn and use the language. This, in turn, can create economic opportunities for Kiswahili speakers and contribute to the language's vitality.

Last but not least, International organisations and development agencies are increasingly recognising the importance of promoting local languages, including Kiswahili, in their programmes. Support from these organisations can provide resources and expertise to help develop Kiswahili-language materials and conduct language research.

As we celebrate World Kiswahili Day, let us remember that we still have a long way to go, but first things first. Kenya needs a National Kiswahili Council and everything else will fall in its place.

The writer is an editor at The Standard Group