From "Hujambo" to "Molo" : Study of and Interest in African Languages among African Americans / Geneva Smitherman.

A study investigated the nature and extent of African American interest in African languages. Data were gathered in (1) an informal telephone survey of selected universities having an African American studies department and/or a sizeable number of Black students, and African-centered public schools, and (2) a survey of 234 African Americans and others at 3 universities, 1 college, and 1 church. The first part of the study resulted in a list of 19 schools and colleges offering African languages; the list is included here. The study's second part found about 10 percent of respondents had studied an African language, with Swahili being the most commonly studied language. Little gender difference in language study was found. Almost three-quarters of respondents who had not studied an African language wished to do so, a greater proportion of women (80 percent) than men (60 percent). Here again, Swahili was the preferred language to study. A complete list of languages respondents wished to study is included. The most common reason for undertaking African language study was interest in African cultural heritage. Age, gender, and income were all found to be factors in African language interest; data are presented. It is concluded that the study indicates significant interest in learning African languages. (MSE)

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