Languages of Rwanda
An anti-AIDS campaign poster in English, Rwanda.
Kinyarwanda is the national language of Rwanda,[1] and the first language of almost the entire population of the country. It, French, and English[2] are the official languages of Rwanda. Rwandan Sign Language is used by the educated deaf population.
Since the 1994 genocide, the complications of relations with successive French governments, the return of numerous Tutsi refugees who went to Uganda (anglophone), and also[3] the intervention of the United States, English has been used by more of the population and administration.
In 2008 the government changed the medium of education from French to English.[4]
Swahili is used by some people, in commerce, and as a subject in schools.[5]
References
- ↑ LECLERC, Jacques. «Rwanda» dans L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde, Québec, CEFAN, Université Laval, 24 Dec. 2015 (accessed 29 August 2016)
- ↑ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97245421 English To Become Official Language In Rwanda
- ↑ http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/rwanda.htm "Depuis la fin de la guerre froide, l'Afrique est même devenue plus «visible» pour les États-Unis, et les relations bilatérales que la France a longtemps entretenues avec de nombreux pays du continent s'en trouvent ainsi profondément modifiées (lire diminuées). D’ailleurs, en mars 1998, le voyage en Afrique du premier président américain (Bill Clinton) à visiter ce continent est venu encore confirmer que les «terres francophones» s'ouvrent maintenant à la compétition politique, économique et culturelle. La preuve en est que maintenant ce sont les Américains qui soutiennent militairement le Rwanda, et ce, de manière très active."
English translation: Since the end of the Cold War, Africa has become even more "visible" to the United States and the bilateral relations France has long maintained with many African nations thus find themselves profoundly changed (read diminished). Moreover, in March 1998, a trip to Africa by the first U.S. president (Bill Clinton) to visit the continent again confirmed that the "francophone lands" are now open to political, economic and cultural competition. The proof of this is that it is now the Americans who militarily support Rwanda, and in a very active way. - ↑ http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/rwanda
- ↑ "Aménagement linguistique," Rwanda
External links
- Linguistic situation of Rwanda (in French)
- Ntakirutimana, Évariste (National University of Rwanda). "LE FRANÇAIS AU RWANDA" (Archive). 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.
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