Language and regional integration: the role of Kiswahili in east African integration

Abstract

The integration process involving humanity ought to have begun ever since man started living in socialised settings. The study looks at the language as an integral enabler for humanity to live cohesively in bigger entities, because of the role it plays for communication purposes as well as other functions that make different societies distinctive. Regional integration is approached from the perspective that the concept of a region itself is not fixed but depends on the characteristics that are viewed to form the basis for identifying what it is that constitute regions, making it possible to distinguish the nature of different regions depending on the dimensions in consideration. Examples of language policies of different countries in the world are brought into the study, and this makes it possible to ascertain benchmarks, by focusing on language issues in those respective examples. The study then examines certain underlying variables, dynamics and linkages between language and integration. On much of the African continent, most of the countries are thus viewed as entities where different ethnic entities, which can therefore be regarded as regions in that perspective, were amalgamated through colonialism to form the states as are currently existing. Moreover the colonial process was primarily concerned with the creation of entities that were designed to exist as integral to the colonizing powers, such that the granting of independence to most of these countries culminated in a situation where there are many unviable and weak states. The study regards as fundamental challenges to these states, such -aspects as the multiplicity of languages, as well as issues to do with the choice of suitable languages that could be adopted

with minimal societal disharmony, leading to enhanced societal cohesion and ultimately economic development.

Inter-state regional integration is regarded as one of the measures to create more viable states and, smooth communication and information flow being essential for cohesion makes the role of language paramount. In the East African region, Kiswahili language is part of the object of the study in order to ascertain what role it played during the colonial era, and what role it can currently play in the on-going regional integration process of the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The recent entrants of Burundi and Rwanda into the East African Community regional integration scheme are not included in this study.