Communication is vital in complex and diverse environments today. Since language fluctuations and population density, communication is very effective. Communication between communities and people is possible through language.
Africa is a multilingual country. With a population of about 1.34 billion people, the region is home to about 2000 languages. Analyzing these languages as they come in handy is a daunting task in itself.
With the exception of a few other languages, English is one of the most widely spoken languages on the continent, with most of the English-speaking countries in Africa.
To understand the evolution of television and the various African languages, one must first learn the history of the languages of the continent. The vast expansion of the African continent makes it a fascinating place to explore and analyze languages.
While a translation company can translate well and translate into African languages, knowing many African languages gives you the opportunity to read aloud – especially if you are going to start a business in Africa.
Active Exploration of African Languages
According to Ethnolgue, there are some 2,000 languages spoken in Africa. This shows that many languages are available in the African language. One of the earliest methods of writing is thought to have been made in Africa, and several manuscripts are still in use today.
Africans have become increasingly aware of the various languages that have developed among them in recent years. This is why language laws are currently being developed with the aim of promoting multilingualism.
For example, the African Union (AU) views all African languages as official languages. Although many local languages are taught in elementary schools, some of the most common ones are known as languages.
African languages are divided into four groups: Afroasiatic, Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharam, and Khoisan. Several African languages belong to Indo-European and Austronesian language groups. In addition, complex contractual languages also include a variety of sign languages.
The top ten English-speaking countries in Africa are shown below.
1. Uganda is number one.
Uganda is at the top of the list of African-speaking African countries. The surrounding country is home to some 45 million people, about 29 million of whom speak English. The country of Africa, which gained independence in 1962, is multilingual and has a total of 43 languages.
Since Uganda’s independence, English has been the official language of the country. Swahili has been designated as the second language of the region. Although Ugandan is Uganda’s main language today, many people still speak English.
2. South Africa is second.
This country, located in southern Africa, is the second English-speaking country in the contract. There are 11 official languages in the country, and people also speak other languages in the region, such as Afrikaans and IsiZulu.
In South Africa, about 4.8 million people speak English as their mother tongue, accounting for 9.6% of the total population. English is the second most widely spoken language outside the home, while it is only the sixth most common language.
3. Nigeria is number three.
Nigeria is the third English-speaking country in Africa. The country has a population of 206 million, of which 79 million speak English. This equates to about 53% of the total population. The political language and special connections in Nigeria are Nigerian English, sometimes known as Nigerian Standard English. Nigerian Pidgin, on the other hand, is a common language borrowed from English.
The official language of Nigeria is English. Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fula, and English Creole are some of the languages spoken in Nigeria. Apart from that, many Nigerian languages have been written.
4. Kenya the fourth number.
This East African country is the fourth largest English-speaking country in Africa. With a population of 54 million, the country is made up of many ethnic groups, all of whom speak their own language. The Kenyan language, however, is English, which is spoken and heard by about 2.7 million people.
The English-speaking culture in the country is a result of British rule, which began in the late 1800’s. As a result, the British left a lasting legacy, with many English-speaking people behind them. In Kenyan schools, English is the language of instruction.
5. Zambia is number five.
Zambia is a country in the southern part of central Africa. The official language of the country, with a population of 18 million, is English. Zambia has several indigenous languages, almost all of which belong to the Bantu language family. Zambians use English for business writing and correspondence in the area. The sea is your first language, in addition to English.
Zambia has more than 70 languages and dialects. English is spoken and heard by almost everyone, and those who live in urban areas can speak it fluently.
(6) Botswana
Another landlocked country, Botswana is located in the Southern part of Africa. English is the official language of the country despite more people speaking Setswana. According to estimates, Botswana has a population of 2 million, out of which 2.8% speak English.
It is the language of business and academic correspondence in the country and is used in formal communication as well. Botswana has 31 living languages which are all used by the local population.
7. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is not far behind when it comes to listing down the english speaking countries in africa. With a population of 14.8 million, this country is the seventh-best English speaking country in the African continent.
It might come as a surprise, but even though only 5% of the total population speaks English as a native language in Zimbabwe, almost 89% of the total population can speak it fluently. This number of speakers comes second only to Seychelles (93%) among the African countries. In addition, English is the lingua franca of the country, while the main language is Shona, spoken by 70% of the population.
8. Malawi
Located in the Southeastern part of Africa, Malawi has a population of 19 million. Although English is the official language of the country, only 26% of the population can speak it. Chichewa is the national language of Malawi and 57% of the population speaks it. Other prominent languages in the region include Chinyanja, Chiyao, and Chitumbuka.
9. Ghana
Ghana is located in the Western part of Africa and comes at the 9th rank on the list of English speaking countries in Africa. With a population of 31 million, the official language and the lingua franca is English. Approximately, people speak 11 languages in Ghana, but English remains the language of business and formal communication.
English occupies the position of official language due to the colonialization by the British in the region. As a result, people speak English with a heavy tone of pidgin—which might confuse many visitors to the country. Despite this, English is still widely spoken in Ghana amongst other languages in the country.
10. Rwanda
Located in the Central part of Africa, Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in the African continent. Having a population of only 13 million, the country has only 0.2% of the population which speaks English. It is the third official language in the country, after Kinyarwanda and Swahili. While English is the language of business correspondence, Kinyarwanda remains the most widely spoken and national language in the region.
The Last Word
The African continent, with its beautiful landscapes and wildlife, is an interesting place for many companies seeking to start their careers in the African region. With English being the universally spoken language, it might come as a pleasant surprise for many that it is the official language of many African countries. This official status makes expansion and business in the African region possible.
Although there are many indigenous and native languages in the African continent, English has managed to keep its place over the centuries. This is due to the colonialization by the British Empire, which has left its mark till today. Nevertheless, if you are a businessman or just a tourist on a vacation, you would not have a hard time navigating your way in Africa, as a large part of the population not only understands English but speaks it fluently too.
Source: ccjk.com
