From the Archive: Speaking Swahili, Kikuyu, & Sheng

Speaking Tongues

In case you missed it, this is a repost of Episode 33. Speaking Swahili, Kikuyu & Sheng, first published Nov 16, 2020.

Our guest Wairimu (@mwalimuwairimu) talks with us about experiences growing up in a multilingual environment and the origins of Swahili, its spread through East Africa, and the unique differences between coastal and Nairobi Swahili.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇰🇪 Wairimu’s journey from being exposed to Kikuyu and English as a child to learning Swahili and French.

🇰🇪 The impact of educational policies on native language use in Kenyan schools and the broader implications for identity and culture.

🇰🇪 The cultural and linguistic diversity of Swahili, including its Bantu and Arabic influences and regional variations.

🇰🇪 The emergence and evolution of Sheng, a dynamic urban youth language in Nairobi, and the societal reactions to its growing prominence.

🇰🇪 The role of Swahili as a unifying language in Kenya and its use in various contexts, from marketplaces to media and politics.

🇰🇪 Wairimu’s personal project, Mwalimu Wairimu, and her mission to preserve and promote Swahili language and Kenyan culture through social media.

🇰🇪 My attempt at learning a Swahili proverb, showcasing the beauty and challenge of embracing a new language.