Why you should learn an African Lingua Franca

There may be 1,250 or more native languages spoken throughout Africa, depending on how we define a language vs a dialect. For foreigners who desire to experience African culture firsthand or relocate to an African nation, this poses an intriguing conundrum. The majority of the time, the language you choose to learn won’t be spoken by everyone you communicate with. Travelling a long way without crossing any borders can cause this effect to become even more noticeable.

But it’s also true that many Africans, especially in major urban centres, are used to speaking numerous languages, perhaps three or more, during the course of a day.

Learn one of the lingua francas spoken in the area you want to visit if you want to strengthen your connection and communication if you travel to any African country. 

When discussing lingua francas in Africa, most linguists will mention Swahili. Between 50 and 150 million people use it, the vast majority of them as a second language, and it is co-official with English in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

Although the Latin alphabet is very universally used now, it was formerly written in an Arabic script. According to linguists, Swahili belongs to the Bantu language family, which includes the languages spoken by over a third of Africans, mostly in the continent’s southern half. However, Arabic is the source of up to 20% of its vocabulary, and there are also several loanwords from English, German, Persian, Hindustani, and Portuguese.

The language itself has a global heritage and has evolved in a global manner. One of the story’s main themes is commerce; Swahili continues to be the most sought-after language of African descent among foreigners. 

East Africa (where the Swahili language is most beneficial to foreigners) is a very well-liked travel and business destination. It is also home to some of Africa’s busiest ports and some of the world’s most coveted flora and animals, including the Serengeti.