Languages of Rwanda
Languages of Rwanda | |
---|---|
English in Kigali | |
Official | Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili |
Vernacular | Kinyarwanda |
Foreign | English, African French |
Signed | Rwandan Sign Language |
Keyboard layout |
Kinyarwanda is the national language of Rwanda,[1] and the first language of almost the entire population of the country. It is one of the country's official languages alongside French,[2] English,[3] and Swahili.[4]
French had been the language of administration from the country's time under Belgian administration, between the World War I and independence in 1962. Since the
In 2008, the government changed the medium of education from French to English.[5] By 2018 the Rwandan government had introduced French as a foreign language class at the primary school level, and French was still widely used by members of the upper classes. A Rwandan historian, Antoine Mugesera, stated that French is still used among the educated, but Kinyarwanda is used for matters relating to simple topics and messages.[6] English is now considered as the primary language among other foreign languages.
Swahili is used by some people, in commerce, and is taught as a subject in schools.[7]
French was spoken by a bit under 6% of the population according to the 2012 census and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.[8] English was reported to be spoken by 15% of the population in 2009, though the same report found the proportion of French-speakers to be 68%.[9] Swahili is spoken by fewer than 1%.[10]
References
- ^ LECLERC, Jacques. «Rwanda» dans L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde, Québec, CEFAN, Université Laval, 24 Dec. 2015 (accessed 29 August 2016)
- ^ "Rwanda: MPs Approve Law Making Kiswahili Official Language". All Africa. All Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- ^ "English To Become Official Language In Rwanda". Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Kiswahili adopted as Rwanda's fourth official language". 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Rwanda". 15 August 2013.
- Agence France Presse at the Daily Monitor. 2018-08-10. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "Aménagement linguistique," Rwanda
- ^ La langue française dans le monde (2022)
- ^ The Benefits of the English Language for Individuals and Societies: Quantitative Indicators from Cameroon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Pakistan
- ^ Ethnologue report for Rwanda
External links
- Linguistic situation of Rwanda (in French)
- Ntakirutimana, Évariste (University of Nice.
- Steflja, Isabela. "The Costs and Consequences of Rwanda’s Shift in Language Policy" (Archive). Africa Initiative. 31 May 2012.
- McGreal, Chris. "Why Rwanda said adieu to French" (Archive). The Guardian. Friday 16 January 2009.