Across Africa, the urgency to preserve endangered languages is gaining momentum, as cultural identity increasingly intertwines with the evolution of technology and education. The vibrant discussions during the ceremonies marking the International Mother Language Day on February 21, 2025, underscored the need to recognize and protect the continent's diverse linguistic heritage.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted an event entitled "My Health is My Mother Tongue," emphasizing the role of indigenous languages not only as vehicles of communication but also as integral to cultural identity and social cohesion. Professor Jean Baxen, the Interim Dean of DUT's Faculty of Arts and Design, highlighted, "Language is more than just utterances; it encompasses posture, behaviour, and identity," illustrating the multifaceted importance of language in personal and academic growth.
Dr. Gcina Mhlope, internationally renowned for her storytelling, performed at the DUT celebration, captivating the audience with the essence of language as not just words but as vessels carrying history and culture. "Our partnership ensures our languages matter and help us build a brighter future," she exclaimed, echoing sentiments shared by many participants, calling for greater awareness on protecting and valuing indigenous tongues.
Meanwhile, Ernest Sesselede, English director of Les Joyeuses Coccinelles Bilingual French-English Nursery School, spoke about the newer generation's tendency to prioritize foreign languages over local ones. He observed, "English is the principal language joining everyone everywhere," as families increasingly desire their children to learn English to access broader opportunities. This trend raises concerns about the survival of local languages such as Fon, which is slowly receding under the shadow of French and English.
The language faculty at DUT and other African educational institutions are addressing these challenges through new tools and frameworks aimed at inclusion and accessibility. Recently, Terence Ball, who leads the South African National Lexicography Unit, introduced a resource offering over 84,000 terms from various subjects translated across the country's eleven official languages. He believes, "By learning in the mother tongue, we think it will facilitate a Better retention of knowledge," reinforcing the need for educational resources to support multilingual classrooms effectively.
This call for linguistic revival extends beyond traditional educational environments to embrace technology. To this end, Lelapa AI, collaborating with Way With Words and the University of Pretoria, has pioneered the Esethu Framework—a model ensuring African language speakers are contributors to AI technologies rather than passive users of foreign dynasties. Jenalea Rajab, research lead at Lelapa AI, remarked, "Lelapa AI has created a novel data framework prioritizing the African language technology ecosystem," introducing the Vuk'uzenzele isiXhosa Speech Dataset (ViXSD). This open-source resource aims to bridge the gap for isiXhosa speakers, generating meaningful voice AI tools and resources for communities.
With Africa home to over 2,000 languages, there’s immense potential for digital activism to fuse with cultural initiatives. For example, Mahuton Bienvenu Possoupe intensified preservation efforts by creating Wikipedia pages accessible to Fon speakers, sharing knowledge and resources across borders. His commitment is echoed by numerous other activists championing desired visibility for local languages online.
African nations are at differing stages of grappling with the delicate balance between embracing globalization and honoring their tongues. While some, like Rwanda and Madagascar, have begun reinstituting indigenous languages at national levels, others continue to challenge the status quo to standardize language education, as noted during DUT’s panel discussions. Attendees voiced their hope for language policies to evolve, envisioning communication rooted equally across South African dialects.
Among the several notable discussions, Ms. Pinky Radebe, Head of Communications at the KZN Tourism and Film Authority, reinforced the role of linguistic ability at the workplace, declaring the necessity of students to express themselves effectively within their environments. This emphasis underlines the need for inclusive policies, as regions like northern KwaZulu-Natal face considerable language barriers with insufficient supporting frameworks.
Despite modern-day realities, the essence of language remains intrinsically tied to cultural heritage, uniquely positioning communities within the global narrative. Reflecting on this, Professor Jean Baxen asserted the need for inclusive representation and acknowledgment of all local languages, urging institutions to create pathways for equitable access to education.
Overall, the events surrounding International Mother Language Day represent not only the chance to celebrate linguistic diversity but also the responsibility we share to preserve and uplift these voices. The interconnectedness of indigenous languages within the fabric of education and technology offers rich prospects for revitalization and cohesion across communities, reinforcing the belief: when languages thrive, cultures flourish.