| Languages of Tanzania | |
|---|---|
| Official | Swahili and English (de facto) |
| Regional | Arabic (in Zanzibar), Chaga, Makonde, Sukama,Datooga |
| Signed | Tanzanian sign languages |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY |
Contents
Is English widely spoken in Tanzania?
Tanzania is an East African country and Swahili is the nation’s official language. English is widely spoken, and other languages spoken in the country are the native tongues of various ethnic groups.Most of Tanzania’s population is fluent in their mother tongue and one other language, mainly Kiswahili.
What are the roles of English language in Tanzania?
Tanzania also recognizes English as its national language and it is the lingua franca. “It has become the language of diplomacy, international communication, and the language for the modern styles of life, science and technology” (Abdulaziz, 1994, p. 392).
How common is English in Tanzania?
It is estimated that approximately 15% of the population in Tanzania have some knowledge of English (Rubagumya 1989:107).
What is the status of English language in Tanzania?
English, the former colonial language, is the de facto national working language and medium of instruction in secondary and higher education. However, English remains a minority language, spoken by approximately 5% of the population, most of whom are members of a higher social class (Tibategeza, 2010).
Do they speak English in Zanzibar?
The indigenous language spoken throughout Zanzibar is Swahili (called Kiswahili locally).For visitors, English and several other European languages, such as French and Italian, are spoken in Zanzibar Town and most tourist areas.
Why is Swahili better than English?
Swahili is said to be the easiest African language for an English speaker to learn. It’s one of the few sub-Saharan African languages that have no lexical tone, just like in English. It’s also much easier to read as you read out Swahili words just the way they are written.
Is English a second language in Tanzania?
Currently, public education in Tanzania is bilingual, as it has been since the country’s independence from the British in 1961. At primary level, students are taught in Kiswahili, with English a part of the curriculum as a language subject.
Is English a barrier to communication in Tanzania learning institution?
Dar Es Salaam — ENGLISH is used as a medium of instruction in all secondary schools and higher learning institutions in the country, but it still remains a communication barrier between teachers and students in the classroom.
Why do we study Kiswahili?
It is also a Lingua franca of the African Continent spoken as a second language by millions of people mainly in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and East Zaire.It can be used to fulfill language requirements. The study of Swahili also provides interesting issues regarding language policies and language planning.
Why do people in Tanzania speak English?
Though it is less widely spoken than Swahili, English is still spoken by a significant proportion of the population, having arrived in Tanzania during Britain’s colonization of the country (which followed its inclusion in German East Africa).
What language is used in schools in Tanzania?
Kiswahili
At school level, Kiswahili is the language of instruction in public primary schools in Tanzania while English is taught just as a single subject until students reach secondary school.
Do they speak Arabic in Zanzibar?
For centuries, the Arabic language has been one of the key languages spoken in Zanzibar, but it has now been practically replaced by Swahili.
When did Tanzania start English?
English was introduced in Tanganyika in the late 1880s by the missionaries as a medium of education in some schools they established in the country. However, a significant growth of English took place between 1919 and 1961 when Tanganyika was under British colonial rule (Swila, 2009).
Why are more African countries adopting English as an official language?
While the English language is valued by African countries as serving global economic interests, it also may serve economic and peace relations within the continent. English may be viewed as a tool that crosses regional, cultural and linguistic barriers.
Why do Tanzanians speak Swahili?
Tanzania. The widespread use of Swahili as a national language in Tanzania came after Tanganyika gained independence in 1961 and the government decided that it would be used as a language to unify the new nation.
Is German spoken in Tanzania?
Tanzania still has a few old German buildings from the earlier German colonial era, but it is in Namibia where the strongest German influence still exists.3% of Namibia’s population speaks German as a first language, although that percentage is declining.
Do they speak English in Kenya?
The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili. English is the language of big business, higher education and government.The standard spoken Swahili is usually considered the dialect of Zanzibar.
Why do Kenyans speak good English?
Swahili had been established as a trade language in most parts of the Swahili Coast at the time of colonization, and it was also used in education.Due to this, almost all Kenyans who have an educational background know some level of English.
What is the easiest language to learn?
And The Easiest Language To Learn Is…
- Norwegian. This may come as a surprise, but we have ranked Norwegian as the easiest language to learn for English speakers.
- Swedish.
- Spanish.
- Dutch.
- Portuguese.
- Indonesian.
- Italian.
- French.
Why Kiswahili is not a foreign language?
Kiswahili scholars and promoters especially in Tanzania and Kenya have always argued that Kiswahili is the undisputed lingua franca of Eastern and Central Africa. They have also claimed that the language is spreading fast across Africa and beyond hence gaining the status of an international language.
