The national language evolves according to the local conditions obtaining in a particular area.A national language is a language (or language variant, i.e. dialect) which has some connection—de facto or de jure—with a people and perhaps by extension the territory they occupy. The term is used variously. A national language may for instance represent the national identity of a nation or country. National language may alternatively be a designation given to one or more languages spoken as first languages in the territory of a country.
Jun15
Paul Ssemaluulu, to borrow from an interview l had with Rt. Hon. Kintu
Musoke in 1994, there is no need for legislation to make Luganda
national language, kanzu and gomesi, national dress, matooke national
food. the moment you mention it, you get petty jealousy resistance.
You just ignore it.
As we go regional Kiswahili will be our regional language as English,
and to an extent French, shall the official languagee
But Luganda shall remain in the lead in Uganda, side by side with
Runyakitara, Luo, Iteso and Lugbara.
Netters:
Most of of our languages are not “native” as such. They are all made up of borrowed words from one to another. That is how Kiswahili, was also formed by Arab traders. Good enough, the language has over the centuries improved and now stands as an East and Central African symbol and a leading medium of communication.
The language has earned itself a place among the leading international languages. So many international Universities and colleges are proud to have the language as part of their culiculum. On some major international radio stations, the language is highly placed and its programs equally respected and earning tremendous ratings.
What is is “indigenous” any way? Is it the Kanzu, Busuuti or the Western suites and jackets that we don’t even question as to whether they fit our Africaness? That is one reason why i like my guys, Mandela and Otunu. They are principled even with their attires.
If we want to live in happy, unified Africa. East Africa, in particular, we need to come up with one unifying language, one currency, one travel document and who knows, what else!
Let Kiswahili, reign!!
Kamugisha
Swahili will make Uganda prosper regionally, n nationally.
how easy is to learn these languages, for instance my case I can tell what one is trying to mean in Swahili but I can hardly reply….. which of the two is easily adaptable to. I urge the govt to introduce classes in local areas to learn these languages
Kishahili can make it 4 Ug, because its being tought in many schools all over the country, & at least many Ugandans have knowledge about it. And in any case we are in the East African community, where it is mostly used, so it’s better kishahali.
ill give you the case of kiswahili in Tanzania. it is the most spoken language in that part of the world.
now lets look at the economics, they have the biggest population, biggest land area, longest coastline, lots of minerals like diamond, gold,natural gas, titaniun, uranium but the poverty levels are soaring. ( its mind boggling how Kenya has a bigger economy keeping in mind they have no mineral as respectively compared)
and they dont have polarised ethnic line as we witness in Rwanda, uganda and Kenya.
Swahili is spoke to the north in Kenya, to the west in DRC, Burundi and a little in Rwanda.
add all this together and you will realize language has no benefit economically mainly because if we meet to do business, we adopt English which is more acceptable all over Africa.
the effect kiswahili has is very minimal and those propagating it have other things in mind.
in the europene union, did the french adopt German? or did the English adopt Spanish? or did the Irish adopt Italian?
the question is. did the obviously very powerful languages in Europe affect the integration of EU into an economic power house? NO!!!!!
abaganda bange, its all about thinking smart and planning ahead, language is a ‘minor detail’.
I think ‘Luganda’ can serve that post better coz atleast in every region in Uganda when u speak luganda people can understand wat u r meaning instead of adapting kiswahil whose appearence has negative influence in people’s mind since they consider it a language 4 thieves if u can take a flash back in 1960′s and 70′s.
Luganda
Luganda is obviously the national language of Uganda, no doubt with this issue.