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CATHERINE W GICHUKIDOHA Today (July 7) marks the first World Kiswahili Language Day, which honours the value of multilingualism by paying tribute to the language. The embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania intends to launch a programme in which non-Kiswahili speakers in Qatar can learn the language. The Tanzanian community in Qatar recently gathered to commemorate the day.In November last year, the United Nations, through UNESCO, declared that July 7 of each year will be an official day to celebrate Kiswahili worldwide. Kiswahili is not only a language of communication, but also a window into various cultures, ideas and forms of education.In an interview with the media, Tanzanian Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Mahadhi Juma Maalim said that Tanzania embassies around the world have organised various functions such as seminars, cultural shows, and others to celebrate and propagate Kiswahili. “We met our own community at the end of June, and we celebrated it right away. So, on that specific day, we will have no activities, but back home, there will be large functions in a variety of locations.”He went on to say that today was significant because Kiswahili is the first native African language to be granted such recognition. “The effort has been there for a long time, but it is now the only African language spoken in nearly 14 countries, including the two native countries, Tanzania and Kenya, where Swahili began.”According to him, the language is now widely spoken in other countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Yemen, and Oman. “It is an official language, and it is the African Pan-African Parliament’s official language in SADC. It was also adopted as one of the African Union’s official languages. And now, getting this recognition at the UN level is important because it is being taught and studied in various universities around the world.”According to Ambassador Maalim, the language is important because it allows people to connect in business and interact, and ordinary people can communicate effectively in Kiswahili. He stated that for cultural diplomacy, most Tanzanian embassies have begun teaching foreigners Kiswahili.Furthermore, he stated that the embassy in Qatar has approached an organisation that organises language training in languages such as Arabic and English. “They have expressed an interest in collaborating with us to offer a Kiswahili course. We have some people in our community who have children who do not speak Kiswahili, and they will most likely be the first clients who want their children to be able to communicate in Swahili.”He stated that the embassy has already spoken with community volunteers who can teach the language, with some having a teaching background. They will follow a curriculum and read books written by experts back home.According to the envoy, children have the ability to master multiple languages and will aid in the preservation and promotion of Kiswahili.“We have many institutions at home that promote Kiswahili. Right now, more countries are teaching Kiswahili, including South Africa, and as part of the celebration, Tanzania and South Africa will sign an agreement for Tanzania to help South Africa by providing experts to teach Kiswahili in their schools. Botswana had also done so. Namibia, I believe, is in the process, and many universities already offer that course. Something which we would like to see happening, is for more media houses to start Kiswahili services. Some media organisations including BBC, Voice of America, Radio Cairo and other have Kiswahili service. If Al Jazeera can have Swahili service it will help promote the language, because those people who cannot get their information through English or Arabic, they will be able to get it through Swahili.”
