What U.S. schools offer undergraduate programs in African languages?

Question

My 19-year-old cousin is a sophomore in college and wants to work toward ending poverty in Africa. I suggested he learn to speak the languages in the part of Africa where he'd like to work, as part of his course of study. Where can he do this?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Ohio State claims to have the most extensive program of African languages in the U.S., including instruction in Swahili, Zulu, Twi, Shona, Hausa and Yoruba. I don't think they offer every language all the time, but I know Swahili at least is offered regularly. The link below should provide more detail.

Answer 2

the two most important official languages in africa are english and french. government business is carried out in one or the other in most african states.

the problem with speaking an indigenous language is that it identifies you with one tribal group. in zambia for instance if you speak kikaonde the nyanja will resent you for not having chosen their language (and so will the luvale, the bemba .....).

since every african country has several major tribes it is usually safer and wiser to speak an official language.

since your cousin already speaks english he should become fluent in french (african french if possible), or possibly portuguese.

afrikaans and kiswahili are best avoided. both are major languages in their respective areas, but each implies certain things about the speaker that are unlikely to be beneficial to someone trying to work in local development.

Answer 3

I agree with garwy at the same time choose a language that is largely spoken.

I know University of GA offers Yoruba and Hausa

Answer 4

I know that the University at Albany (UAlbany for short) has an Africana Studies program that is one of the best in the nation. Go to www.albany.edu to find out more.

www.albany.edu/africana for the Africana Studies department website.

Answer 5

i think english to 5th grad