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A Language for all? KiSwahili as a Tool for Unity: Problematizing the East African Community’s Language Policy

Brandberg, Anton LU (2021) UTVK03 20211
Sociology
Abstract
In modern state-development it is common practice to use one language for unifying people in a nation or region. However, in the wake of decolonisation, many African states found themselves struggling with the decision to pick a national language. African languages are rarely dominating whole nations, making it hard to choose one language as a tool for unity. The kiSwahili language is therefore a rare case. It is a well-known lingua franca in the East African region that the vast majority of people in Tanzania and Kenya comprehend. It was chosen as a national language in both countries in their postcolonial era, to different degrees of success unifying each nation. Today, five states have come together to create the East African Community... (More)
In modern state-development it is common practice to use one language for unifying people in a nation or region. However, in the wake of decolonisation, many African states found themselves struggling with the decision to pick a national language. African languages are rarely dominating whole nations, making it hard to choose one language as a tool for unity. The kiSwahili language is therefore a rare case. It is a well-known lingua franca in the East African region that the vast majority of people in Tanzania and Kenya comprehend. It was chosen as a national language in both countries in their postcolonial era, to different degrees of success unifying each nation. Today, five states have come together to create the East African Community (EAC), including Tanzania and Kenya. The objective of the EAC is to provide economic, political and social unity in the region. The EAC argues that the kiSwahili language plays an important role in order to achieve unity in the region. KiSwahili has therefore developed from being promoted as a national language into a regional language. This thesis aims to analyze and problematize the EAC language policy and discuss to what extent it is possible to establish the sought-after regional unity. Its findings conclude that even though one language could be used as a tool for unity, it is highly contextual and many factors need to be taken into consideration when planning for regional unity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Brandberg, Anton LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
A Language for all? KiSwahili as a Tool for Unity
course
UTVK03 20211
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
kiSwahili, national unity, regional unity, East African Community, Tanzania, Kenya, language policy
language
English
id
9059240
date added to LUP
2021-06-28 14:36:14
date last changed
2021-06-28 14:36:14
@misc{9059240,
  abstract     = {{In modern state-development it is common practice to use one language for unifying people in a nation or region. However, in the wake of decolonisation, many African states found themselves struggling with the decision to pick a national language. African languages are rarely dominating whole nations, making it hard to choose one language as a tool for unity. The kiSwahili language is therefore a rare case. It is a well-known lingua franca in the East African region that the vast majority of people in Tanzania and Kenya comprehend. It was chosen as a national language in both countries in their postcolonial era, to different degrees of success unifying each nation. Today, five states have come together to create the East African Community (EAC), including Tanzania and Kenya. The objective of the EAC is to provide economic, political and social unity in the region. The EAC argues that the kiSwahili language plays an important role in order to achieve unity in the region. KiSwahili has therefore developed from being promoted as a national language into a regional language. This thesis aims to analyze and problematize the EAC language policy and discuss to what extent it is possible to establish the sought-after regional unity. Its findings conclude that even though one language could be used as a tool for unity, it is highly contextual and many factors need to be taken into consideration when planning for regional unity.}},
  author       = {{Brandberg, Anton}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{A Language for all? KiSwahili as a Tool for Unity: Problematizing the East African Community’s Language Policy}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}