Members of the Chama Cha Kiswahili Africa Mashariki, an Association that brings together Lecturers of Kiswahili language from higher institutions in East Africa have pointed out blended Swahili known as “Sheng” as one of the major challenges facing promotion of the language across the region.
Sheng is a Swahili and English-based jargon originating among the urban youth of Nairobi, Kenya, and influenced by many of the languages spoken there.
The lecturers addressed the press about the challenges facing promotion of Swahili language over the weekend, after the Conclusion of the 20th conference of Chama Cha Kiswahili Africa Amashariki at Kabale University in South Western Uganda.
The Chief Editor of JaridyaChakama, a Swahili News journal for PHD students of Kiswahili in East Aftica, Prof. MusolKandagor said they were challenged by the Sheng slang whereby students were mixing it in both spoken and written vocabulary. Prof. Musol Kandagor speaking…
Dr. Wallace Mulaga a Kiswahili Lecturer from the University of Rwanda said that Sheng was a threat, but it had not yet spread widely in Rwanda. The Kabale University Vice Chancellor Prof. Joy Kwesiga said that hosting the International Kiswahili Conference was long overdue and it would add a lot of value to the measures being put in place to promote the language at the University. END