Languages of Burundi
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Languages of Burundi | |
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Official | Kirundi, French, English |
National | Kirundi |
Minority | Swahili |
Foreign | Arabic, English, Swahili |
Signed | Burundian Sign Language |
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Burundi is unusual among African states in having a single indigenous language shared by its entire population. In one estimate, 98 percent of Burundians speak Kirundi.[2] Under Belgian colonial rule (1919–62), Kirundi was taught whereas under German rule (1894–1916) Swahili had been encouraged.[2] In recent years, the Burundian government has promoted the use of the Kirundi language as a way to unify the country's different ethnic groups.[2]
The country is considered part of
Spoken languages in Burundi include Swahili which is widely spoken in the Great Lakes region.[2] It is especially used in commerce and in connection with the country's Muslim minority or with immigration from elsewhere in East Africa.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Uwimana, Diane (17 September 2014). "English is now official language of Burundi". Iwacu English News. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Burundi". L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde. Université de Laval. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ^ Nduwimana, Arcade (7 August 2020). "Should Burundians care about English as a global language?". Africa at LSE. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
Further reading
- Ngorwanubusa, Juvénal (2007). "Culture et statut des langues au Burundi pendant la période belge (1916-1962)". In Quaghebeur, Marc; Kangomba, Jean-Claude (eds.). Aspects de la culture à l'époque coloniale en Afrique centrale. Vol. 6. Paris: L'Harmattan. pp. 251–270. ISBN 9782296049673.