Africa is a continent rich with language diversity. There are over 3,000 languages spoken in Africa, many of which have roots to the major language families:
Afro-Asianic includes Arabic ancestrally native to East and North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula
Nilo-Saharan
Nilo-Congo (A) comprised of Niger-Congo’s non-Bantu branches
Niger-Congo (B) mainly Bantu, Niger-Congo’s largest branch
Khoi-San
Austronesian is intrusive from Southeast Asia
Indo-European (not shown on map) Afrikaans, native to the Southern tip of Africa, intrusive from Europe
Languages of Africa Series
There is immense linguistic diversity in Africa, where over 3,000 languages spoken. As an introduction to specific places and countries in the continent, it is useful to engage your students with the languages spoken. This may be an entry-point to discuss the role of indigenous knowledge, literacy, and the role of colonialism. The Language of Africa series highlights a number of languages spoken around the continent and explores the personal and cultural connections each language has for its speaker. These abbreviated clips are an excellent way of introducing the multiculturalism and linguistic diversity found throughout the continent and provide students with an opportunity to think about the way their use of a specific language(s) carries with it historical and cultural connotations as well.
Afrikaans
In this particular video, Professor Zoliswa Mali provides an example of the Afrikaans language. Afrikaans is one of the official languages of South Africa and is the third most spoken language in the country. For more information on the Afrikaans language, please follow the linkhere.
(Portuguese) Creole
In this particular video, Professor Fallou Ngom provides an example of the Creole language. Creole is one of many languages spoken in Senegal, but examples of Creole can be found in numerous countries worldwide. For more information on the Creole language, please follow the linkhere.
Mandika
In this particular video, Professor Fallou Ngom provides an example of the Mandinka language. Mandika is the primary language of the Gambia but variations are spoken in Senegal and parts of Guinea-Bissau. For more information on theMandikalanguage, please follow the linkhere.
Sesotho
In this particular video, Professor Zoliswa Mali provides an example of the Sesotho language. Sesotho is one of the official languages of South Africa and is the national language of Lesotho. For more information on the Sesotho language, please follow the linkhere.
Xhosa
In this particular video, Professor Zoliswa Mali provides an example of the isiXhosa language. IsiXhosa (known as Xhosa in English) is one of the official languages of South Africa and is widely spoken throughout the country. For more information on the isiXhosa language, please follow the linkhere.
Zulu
In this particular video, Professor Zoliswa Mali provides an example of the Zulu language. Zulu is one of the official languages of South Africa and is the most widely spoken home language there. Zulu is also spoken in surrounding Southern Africa countries, such as Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. For more information on the Zulu language, please follow the linkhere.
Proverbs
Experience the character of different African languages through these translated proverbs:
