Popis: |
This article discuss the uses and teaching of the Swahili language in Egypt. Today, the North African country considers Swahili language to be one of the most important languages in Africa; which is used as a lingua franca even by fellow Nile River countries. There is a relatively long history of Swahili language teaching; beginning in 1967 with the establishment of the Department of African Languages, within the Faculty of Languages and Translation at the Al-Azhar University. Since then, many students have learned Swahili and become either Swahili teachers; editors in Egyptian Radio for East African countries; or Swahili language translators at Al-Azhar centres. The establishment of other departments at three other universities - namely, Ain Shams University, Cairo University, and most recently Aswan University - has helped to grow and develop Swahili language teaching. Egypt continues to take steps to advance the teaching and use of Swahili language with the aim of strengthening relations between it and several East and Central African countries, where it remains the main language of communication. |