Language Stories

Top 10 most used languages for web content
Charity Pancras  |  Oct 31, 2025

Japanese accounts for 5.2 per cent, while French and Portuguese stand at 4.4 and 4 per cent respectively, reflecting their growing influence online.

African languages for AI: The project that’s gathering a huge new dataset
The Conversation  |  Oct 26, 2025

The challenge now is integration: making these pieces work together so that African languages are not just represented in isolated demos, but in real-...

Prof Ndurumo, 'father of sign language', named UN Person of the Year
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Oct 24, 2025

Prof Ndurumo was recognised for his pioneering contributions to disability rights, inclusive education, and his lifelong advocacy for the empowerment...

Kenyan AI app translating speech into sign language wins top African innovation award
Lucy Mumbi  |  Oct 23, 2025

Developed in collaboration with Kenya’s deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Terp 360 has recorded over 2,300 signs, including commonly used words and...

Deaf Kenyans still locked out of education, healthcare despite sign language recognition- NGEC
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Sep 23, 2025

The Commission is urging government agencies, schools, employers, healthcare providers, and media outlets to integrate KSL interpretation into classro...

East Africa mourns Prof John Habwe, scholar who advanced Kiswahili literature and language
Barack Oduor  |  Aug 18, 2025

Prof Habwe, celebrated as one of the most decorated figures in Kiswahili literature, was also an acclaimed author, playwright, linguist, and long-serv...

From Bungoma to the world: How I turned passion for Swahili into global classroom - Abdulkarim Murunga
Amina Wako  |  Aug 02, 2025

I started recording our lessons and sending the videos for revision. Unexpectedly, other students began reaching out after watching my videos. That’s...

AI chatbots can boost public health in Africa - why language inclusion matters
The Conversation  |  Jul 24, 2025

In recent years, AI language technologies for public health have increased rapidly. This wave of technology development really took off as the COVID-1...

How Kiswahili is building a cultural bridge between China, Tanzania
XINHUA  |  Jul 08, 2025

This is especially important in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, where large-scale collaboration between Chinese and Tanzanian professiona...

Rwanda to host 2025 World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations in Kigali
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 02, 2025

The two-day celebrations in Kigali will highlight Kiswahili’s growing role in regional integration, education, diplomacy, and economic development.

Translate Hansard into local languages, forum tells Parliament, assemblies
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 14, 2025

National Assembly deputy clerk Serah Kioko said this would boost public involvement in governance by making legislative proceedings easier to understa...

Duolingo moves beyond words: Chess lessons coming to language app
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Apr 26, 2025

The new feature is part of Duolingo’s broader vision to make learning more engaging and brain-friendly by incorporating strategic and skill-based game...

Alliance Française celebrates Kiswahili Language Day with cultural film screenings
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 10, 2024

The institution has organised several events, including the screening of two award-winning Tanzanian films and a multimedia exhibition. The screenings...

Kenya set to host World Kiswahili Day celebrations for the first time
Barack Oduor  |  Jun 06, 2024

President William Ruto is expected to be the chief guest during the celebrations that will be celebrated in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Why Kiswahili is the fastest growing language in Somalia
Yassin Juma  |  May 27, 2024

A stabilising Somalia has seen a return of some of its nationals from Kenya, many of whom went through the Kenyan education system and speak Kiswahili...

Mombasa County approves use of Kiswahili during assembly sessions on Wednesdays
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 08, 2024

The move underscores the assembly's commitment to embracing Kiswahili as a language of unity and inclusivity.

Ethiopia asks AU to add Amharic to list of official languages
Foreign Reporter  |  Feb 14, 2024

The official languages of the union and all its institutions are Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili.

Entrench Kenya sign language in school curriculum, PWDs urge State
Immaculate Wairimu  |  Jan 22, 2024

Government urged to consider entrenching the Kenya sign language as a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.

Stay ahead of the news! Click ‘Yes, Thanks’ to receive breaking stories and exclusive updates directly to your device. Be the first to know what’s happening.