- Mali recently changed the official language which was decisively approved by 96.91% of voters in a referendum. With the passage of its new constitution on June 18, according to a news report from Africanews, Mali has abandoned French, which has been the nation’s official language since 1960. 13 other national languages that are spoken in the country will be given official language status, even if French will remain be the working language. Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fula, Hassaniya, Kassonke, Maninke, Minyanka, Senufo, Songhay languages, Soninke, and Tamasheq are among them.
- Mali is a multilingual nation with a population that speaks more than 80 different languages. According to estimates, Bambara is used as a commerce language between various communities and is spoken as a first or second language by 80% of the people. The history, migrations, and patterns of ancient Mali habitation are reflected in other languages.
- There are several motives Mali may have for making this adjustment.
- One motivation is to highlight Mali’s linguistic and cultural variety, where more than 80 distinct languages are spoken by various ethnic groups. Mali is acknowledging the significance of these languages for the identity and legacy of its people by granting official recognition to 13 national languages. Additionally, it could encourage respect and social solidarity amongst various cultures.
- Another justification is to raise Mali’s educational standards and accessibility, particularly for younger students. Learning in one’s mother tongue can improve reading and learning results and boost enrolment and retention rates, according to research. The present language of teaching in the majority of schools in Mali is French, which many Malians find difficult to comprehend or pronounce. Mali wants to lower the language barrier and improve the relevance and efficiency of education for its pupils by employing Bambara or other native languages as the medium of teaching.
- A third justification is to reaffirm Mali’s independence and sovereignty over its previous colonial power, France. The majority of Malians do not speak or use French, despite it being the country’s official language since its independence in 1960. Mali is making a political statement by removing French as its official language, signaling that it is no longer ruled or influenced by France. This may also be a sign of Mali’s aim to deepen its relations with other African nations and areas that speak similar languages and have comparable traditions.
- Mali’s decision to renounce French as its official language has not yet been responded to by France, which has been under fire for meddling in Mali’s affairs and failing to protect them from violence. France has also expressed concern over Mali’s agreement with Russian mercenaries, potentially jeopardizing the Sahel region’s security and stability.
- Mali recently changed the official language which was decisively approved by 96.91% of voters in a referendum. With the passage of its new constitution on June 18, according to a news report from Africanews, Mali has abandoned French, which has been the nation’s official language since 1960. 13 other national languages that are spoken in the country will be given official language status, even if French will remain be the working language. Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fula, Hassaniya, Kassonke, Maninke, Minyanka, Senufo, Songhay languages, Soninke, and Tamasheq are among them.
- Mali is a multilingual nation with a population that speaks more than 80 different languages. According to estimates, Bambara is used as a commerce language between various communities and is spoken as a first or second language by 80% of the people. The history, migrations, and patterns of ancient Mali habitation are reflected in other languages.
- There are several motives Mali may have for making this adjustment.
- One motivation is to highlight Mali’s linguistic and cultural variety, where more than 80 distinct languages are spoken by various ethnic groups. Mali is acknowledging the significance of these languages for the identity and legacy of its people by granting official recognition to 13 national languages. Additionally, it could encourage respect and social solidarity amongst various cultures.
- Another justification is to raise Mali’s educational standards and accessibility, particularly for younger students. Learning in one’s mother tongue can improve reading and learning results and boost enrolment and retention rates, according to research. The present language of teaching in the majority of schools in Mali is French, which many Malians find difficult to comprehend or pronounce. Mali wants to lower the language barrier and improve the relevance and efficiency of education for its pupils by employing Bambara or other native languages as the medium of teaching.
- A third justification is to reaffirm Mali’s independence and sovereignty over its previous colonial power, France. The majority of Malians do not speak or use French, despite it being the country’s official language since its independence in 1960. Mali is making a political statement by removing French as its official language, signaling that it is no longer ruled or influenced by France. This may also be a sign of Mali’s aim to deepen its relations with other African nations and areas that speak similar languages and have comparable traditions.
- Mali’s decision to renounce French as its official language has not yet been responded to by France, which has been under fire for meddling in Mali’s affairs and failing to protect them from violence. France has also expressed concern over Mali’s agreement with Russian mercenaries, potentially jeopardizing the Sahel region’s security and stability.
