African Languages Must Be 'Foundation of Future, Not Reminder of Past,' Ethiopian Scholar Says
06:58 27.10.2026 (Updated: 07:04 27.10.2026)
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African Languages Must Be 'Foundation of Future, Not Reminder of Past,' Ethiopian Scholar Says
The measures to preserve African linguistic heritage need to be "community-centered, technologically empowered, and institutionally supported," linguist Tesfaye Negash Bayou told Sputnik Africa.
Communities Are Key to Preservation
A new generation of African documentary linguists should be trained in close partnership with the communities they work with, he added, noting that only the community can "save a language."
⏳ "We Must Act Now"
Languages like Kwegu—with fewer than 200 speakers—require immediate attention, being "in the final stage of their existence as a living community language."
"For languages that are still viable, documentation and revitalization efforts can help reverse the tendency of shift."
Watch the video to learn how international partnerships can strengthen language preservation efforts.
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