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Vol. 10 No. 1 (2021)

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Submitted
Dec 7, 2021
Accepted
Dec 7, 2021
Published
Dec 7, 2021

The Triple Linguistic Heritage in Tanzania: Opportunities and Challenges

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v10i1.74
Benedictor Lema

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), Vol. 10 No. 1 (2021)

Abstract

Colonial history exposes Tanzania to triple linguistic heritage, that has at times plunged
the nation into linguistic confusion. This heritage involves Kiswahili, ethnic community
languages (ECLs) and English. Whereas each of the languages has been limited to some
use through policies, some of the languages have pushed their own way, often breaking
policy boundaries. It is shown in this paper that, firstly, the exclusion of ECLs by postindependence policies has denied the nation important socio-cultural and economic
avenues that could foster rapid social and economic development. Secondly, policies
have not succeeded to strictly confine the three languages to some use. Thirdly, despite
the rigour on English, competence in the language among the population remains
consistently low. Fourthly, sustainable national development can be realized only by
exploiting the triple linguistic heritage already in place in the country.

Keywords

linguistic heritage, ethnic community languages, Kiswahili, English.
Lema, B. . (2021). The Triple Linguistic Heritage in Tanzania: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Humanities &Amp; Social Science (JHSS), 10(1). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v10i1.74
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