KEY POINTS
- AI and digitization are driving the preservation of African languages.
- Mobile apps, social media, and grassroots efforts promote language learning.
- Collaborative initiatives and government support ensure linguistic diversity thrives.
Africa’s linguistic diversity, with over 2,000 languages spoken across the continent, is a cornerstone of its cultural identity.
However, globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of colonial languages threaten the survival of many indigenous languages.
Social actions, group work and other useful technologies are helping these languages to be relevant in the modern world and also preserving the unique language skills of Africa.
Technological innovations driving preservation
The digitization of African languages has been a game-changer in their preservation.
Platforms like Google Translate and Microsoft Translator now support numerous African languages, enabling users to access translations and engage with these languages digitally.
In 2024, Orange joined forces with OpenAI and Meta for the project to build the specific AI language models geared for the African language, including Swahili, Yoruba, and Hausa, into the most used platforms.
Scheduled to be launched in 2025, this initiative will help make these languages more available in the world.
The second advancement is the InkubaLM, the first multilingual AI large language model developed by Lelapa AI of Africa.
By supporting languages like IsiZulu, Yoruba, Hausa and Swahili among others, InkubaLM aims to bridge the gap in the inability of the African languages to get featured on digital platforms.
Utilizing the mobile and digital media
Mobile technology has been one of the most effective means of practicing interaction in the preservation of African languages to enhance interactive learning schemes.
Platform like Duolingo, Drops, and some localized platforms like U-Dictionary have sections containing courses for some African languages including Hausa, Igbo and Swahili.
Mobile networks in the countryside transport educational materials in the native language to compensate for the lacking educational literature imports.
Social networks and services for content creation are equally essential as well. Such channels like YouTube and TikTok have made it possible for the creators to teach languages and share cultural stories.
Platforms like The Yoruba Show podcast, or YouTube tutorials like Learn Akan, makes learning a fun process that unites listeners all over the world.
Collaborative and community efforts
Grassroots initiatives are vital in preserving African languages.
Several organizations including the African Storybook project makes available texted storybooks in over 236 African languages for literacy and culture.
On the other hand, other community-based archives such as the Wikitongues Project write, record, and film languages for future use.
In 2025, the African Languages Conference (AFLC) will bring together stakeholders during African Languages Week
The theme for the event is, “Harnessing African languages for digital transformation and social justice.”
The event will focus on integrating African languages into digital systems, addressing challenges in education, technology, and localization.
Governments are also not taking a step back. The SA Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture recently announced funding for projects that integrates human language technology in education, health, and government services, promoting equitable access to services across all official languages.
AI and language conservation: what is coming next?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how African languages are preserved and used.
The Masakhane Project itself is an open-source project in the development of machine translation systems for the African languages, putting them into the global communication systems.
Voice recognition and natural language processing technologies are now tailored to African languages, ensuring their inclusion in modern commerce and communication.
Difficulties encountered and way forward
Despite these advancements, challenges remain.
Most African languages do not have digital support and there is scarcity of localized content due to limited funding and expertise.
But by integrating the vigorous collaboration of tech corporations, governmental organizations, and residents, those voids are being filled.
The ongoing support in technology, education and at the community level will guarantee continued promotion and usage of the African languages in the future.
