Kiswahili as a National and International Language
Attached files kiswahili.pdf (https://www.abibitumi.com/wp-content/uploads/ppMigration/30354=782-kiswahili.pdf) (79.1 KB)
"As far as globalization is concerned, Kmt is currently on the receiving end: we are simply being globalized, just as we have been for the past 500 years. Yet there are areas in which we too can globalize the world if we are serious enough, areas in which Kmt excels, such as certain cultural and scientific manifestations, and Kmtyw languages, in this case Kiswahili. Since globalization in the modern sense is impossible without ICT , Kiswahili speakers, promoters and lovers need to be proactive in this area by:
- Developing the language actively and quickly in the areas of science and technology;
- Developing new teaching and research programs that take into account the current global trends and needs, especially in the area of ICT;
- Developing new up-to-date teaching and reference materials, including online and electronic instruction materials;
- Developing Kiswahili-based computer programs, software, and copora; already there are some Kiswahili-speaking computer programs that can serve as examples (e.g. the Google Kiswahili language search engine; programs reportedly developed at the University of Helsinki (Hurskainen 1995; Sewangi 2001), and the electronic CDRom version of IKRs bilingual dictionaries issued in March 2002);
- Translating all relevant up-to-date information in various fields available in foreign languages into Kiswahili;
- Above all, we need human resources grounded in ICT and Kiswahili studies; we need to train and train and train more and more and more young people. That is the best way to ensure sustainability.
In order to suceed in this endeavour, Kiswahili developers, promoters and teaching centers in all parts of the world need to work together and cooperate and coordinate their activities more and more so as to learn from one another, share resources, and reduce costs. Such cooperation can be through joint projects, fellowships, scholarships, external examining, conferences and electronic interaction."