by Hammed Sonny | Jun 5, 2023 | Anglophone World
In Africa, around 237 million people are English speakers. The spread of the English language in Africa as a second language was the result of the colonisation and incorporation of many African countries into the British Empire. The language was taught in missionary schools but was mostly taught to the upper classes who had access to higher levels of education in the colonised African countries. After African states gained independence in the late twentieth century, English continued to be taught within the education system and spread more widely within the rest of the population as opposed to just a small elite. English is the main language used in class in primary and secondary school in many African countries. In fact, nearly every sub-Saharan African country uses a colonial language as the language of instruction in its education system, except for Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Tanzania.
Anglophone countries in Africa
English is an official language and language most widely used in business in at least 23 different countries in the African continent, and these countries are referred to as Anglophone countries. In West Africa (Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon) there are six countries which are regarded as being Anglophone countries, eight in the South (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Swaziland) and six in the East of Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and South Sudan), one in Central Africa (Rwanda), one in North Africa (Eritrea) as well as the islands of the Seychelles and Mauritius.
The largest number of English speakers in Africa are located in Nigeria, where it is estimated that 111 million people speak the language. Other countries in Africa with a significant number of English speakers are Uganda (29 million), South Africa (16 million) and Cameroon (9.8 million). Politically, in Africa, the English language is seen as being very important in the context of the global stage, as it is the official working language of many international political and economic gatherings, being called “the global language of business” by the Harvard Business Review. In addition to use in business and commerce, English is also a significant language in the anglophone countries, as it is also used in the print and broadcast media, national parliaments, as well as being the language used in courts and the administration sector.
English proficiency in the Anglophone countries
According to the EF English Proficiency Index, South Africa, with an EF EPI score of 607, was ranked 12th of 100 countries in the world as a country with a “very high proficiency of the English language. Other highly ranked countries in the African Anglophone countries were Kenya (ranked 22nd, with a “high” proficiency) and Nigeria (ranked 34th, with a “moderate” proficiency). The higher ranked countries are also three of the largest economies in the African continent. In a historical context, the countries with the highest English proficiency are those that were former colonies of the British Empire, so as a result have retained the English language as an official language since their independence from the British Empire, compared to lower ranked countries such as Algeria and Egypt where Arabic is the official language, or the Ivory Coast, which is a Francophone country. However, the lowest ranked Anglophone countries were Cameroon (ranked 89th, with an EF EPI score of 419) and Sudan (ranked 85th, with an EF EPI score of 434).
Despite the high levels of proficiency in South Africa and Nigeria, both countries are required to take the IELTS exam, an English proficiency exam taken by those wanting to study in an English-speaking environment or university. According to the UK Government, nationals from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, as well as countries from the Caribbean Islands (such as Jamaica, Belize, Trinidad, and Tobago) are exempt from taking the IELTS exams. However, some universities in the UK accept the WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate), a Higher National Diploma, KCSE (Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education), GSSSC (Ghanian Senior Secondary School Certificate), or the NSC (South African National Senior Certificate) in place of the IELTS exams as proof of proficiency in the English Language. Students from North African countries, such as Egypt or Sudan, are required to take the IELTS Academic exam as the qualifications from their home countries are not accepted as proof of skill in the English language.
In conclusion
While there are many different languages across the African continent, it is important to recognise that a significant number of people speak the English language in Africa, as well as the fact that many people live in Anglophone countries in Africa. English plays a large role in the business and commerce, media as well as the education in many of the Anglophone countries and gives international students the opportunity to access higher education in a different country. If you require translation or interpreting services from English to any of the many different languages in the African continent (Arabic, Swahili, Yoruba), or any other language, you can get a quote here from Crystal Clear Translation.
by Hammed Sonny | Jun 5, 2023 | Multilingualism, Uncategorised
London is an incredibly diverse and populous city with a total population of 9 million people. It should therefore come as no surprise that within such a large city an amazing plethora of different languages are spoken. Overall, the most widely spoken foreign languages in London are Polish, Bengali, and Gujurati, with these languages also being amongst the most widely spoken in the country.
But specifically, within the London boroughs, which foreign languages are the most widely spoken? According to the 2011 Census – the most recent and accurate data for languages in London and the UK – Polish, Turkish, Bengali, and Lithuanian to name a few, comprise the many different languages spoken within the London boroughs.
Polish
The Polish language is the most widely spoken foreign language in 7 different London boroughs. These include Barnet, Bromley, Ealing, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, and Wandsworth. Polish is a Slavic language that is part of the Indo-European language family, and is spoken by an estimated total of 147,816 speakers in London. It is also the second most widely spoken foreign language in the UK and is spoken by 40 million people around the world.
Turkish
Turkish is the most widely spoken foreign language in 4 of the London Boroughs. The boroughs within which Turkish is most popular are Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, and Islington. In London as a whole, the Turkish language is spoken by 71,242 people, with this number accounting for 4.1 % of the non-English speaking population of the capital. Turkish is the most widely spoken Turkic language, spoken by approximately 79 million people globally.
Bengali
Bengali, also known as Bangla, is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. It is spoken most prominently in three London Boroughs. These boroughs are Camden, Newham, and Tower Hamlets. The Bengali language is spoken by 114,267 people in the capital, and, in fact, out of the three London Boroughs where the language is spoken, Tower Hamlets has the highest number of Bengali speakers in the entire country.
French
French, a Romance language from the Indo-European language family, is a popular foreign spoken in a total of three of the London Boroughs. These include City of London, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Kensington & Chelsea. There are 84,191 French speakers in total in London, and as of 2014, there were an estimated 300,000 French citizens living in the capital.
Punjabi
The Punjabi language, part of the Indo-Aryan language family, is spoken the most in three London Boroughs, namely Bexley, Hillingdon, and Hounslow. 68,525 people in total speak Punjabi in London and the language is spoken by 273,000 people in the UK, making it the second most widely spoken foreign language in the country.
Tamil
Tamil, one of the Dravidian languages, is the most widely spoken foreign language in three London Boroughs, including Croydon, Kingston, and Sutton. 70,565 people speak Tamil in the capital, and globally the language is spoken by an estimated 75 million people.
Gujurati
Gujurati, one of the Indo-Aryan languages, is the second most popular foreign language spoken in Brent and Harrow. This language is spoken by 101,676 people in total in the capital, and by 213,094 people across Britain. While most of the Gujurati speakers in London and the rest of the UK speak Standard Gujurati, some also speak a dialect of the language known as Kutchi.
Lithuanian
Lithuanian is spoken most notably in Barking and Havering. In total, the Lithuanian language is spoken by an estimated 35,341 people in London. Lithuanian is a Baltic language and is part of the Balto-Slavic group of languages within the Indo-European language family. It is the official language of Lithuania and is also one of the official languages of the European Union.
Urdu
The Urdu language is the most widely spoken foreign language in the London boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest. In total, Urdu is spoken by 78,667 people in London and is also the fourth most widely spoken foreign language in the UK, spoken by an estimated 269,000 people. Urdu is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family and is spoken globally by 170 million speakers.
Foreign Languages Spoken Most Prominently in One London Borough
The following languages are listed as the second most spoken languages (the primary language spoken being English) in only one London borough. In Westminster, Arabic is listed as the second most language. Additionally, in Greenwich, Nepalese is the most widely spoken foreign language. In the London Borough of Lambeth, Portuguese is in fact the most widely spoken foreign language, and in Southwark, Spanish is also the most widely spoken foreign language.
In Conclusion
A wide array of foreign languages are spoken throughout the 32 different London boroughs, from across the spectrum of different language families from around the world. It is surely no coincidence that London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. If you should require translation of any of the most common foreign languages spoken in the London boroughs, such as Polish, Bengali, Gujarati, Lithuanian, Urdu, Punjabi, or any other language, you would benefit from the help of a Crystal Clear Translation interpreter or translator. At Crystal Clear Translation, you will find many efficient and reliable translators able to navigate the intricacies of many different languages – click here for a quote.
by Hammed Sonny | May 30, 2023 | Interpreting
Having a command of any foreign language is a huge asset when it comes to career prospects. Many of these career prospects involve some form of translation work and the type of job that can lead to a multitude of diverse opportunities and experiences. Interpreting is one type of translation work, with an increase in demand for interpreters owing to the progressively more dynamic world in which we live, where communication is more important than ever. So, just what is interpreting, and what does it entail? Hopefully, we can tell you.
What is interpreting?
In simple terms, interpreting is the oral version of translation (as opposed to the written form) that involves translating spoken word in real time from one language to the next. Just as with written translation, there are different forms of interpretation, with these different forms suitable for specific situations. Although there are some small variants of individual methods, there are four main ‘styles’ of interpreting.
Simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting is when the interpreter must translate a sentence into the target language while listening to the speaker of the source language at the same time. This type of interpretation takes a great amount of skill and practice, as it involves not only memorising what the speaker has said within a few seconds ago, but also reformulating their words into another language as quickly and accurately as possible, while also listening out for the next sentence to translate. Simultaneous interpretation is often the go-to method for large-scale meetings and conferences, hence why it is often called ‘conference interpreting’. Government institutions – such as the European Commission and the UN – normally use simultaneous interpretation, with many people speaking many different languages back and forth. The interpreters themselves are often sat in booths listening to the speaker(s) through headphones and speaking into a microphone that is connected to the earpiece of whoever the translation is provided for. Because of the intense and high-pressure nature of the process, there is often more than one interpreter working at the same time in each booth, taking breaks every 20 minutes or so.
Consecutive interpreting (liaison)
Consecutive interpreting is when the two (or sometimes more) parties speak in turns. First, the speaker (in the source language) will speak for a specific length of time (usually a few minutes) whilst the interpreter takes notes. Once the speaker has finished, the interpreter will interpret what has been said to the audience or sole client. Often, consecutive interpreting is ‘bi-directional’ (or liaison) meaning that the interpreter has to interpret two ways – what the speaker is saying to the receiver and then what the receiver replies to the original speaker. Owing to the nature of this style of interpretation, it is often used in smaller-scale business meetings or in court cases. The main skill required for this method is undoubtedly note-taking and the ability to pinpoint the most relevant information to translate. Although slightly less intense than simultaneous interpretation, the consecutive method still requires a level of speed, as often proceedings will rely on the rapidity and the success of an interpretation, particularly where legal matters are concerned.
Chuchotage (whispered interpreting)
Sometimes more commonly known as whispered interpreting, Chuchotage is a form of interpreting which requires the interpreter to whisper a translated passage in the client’s target language back to them. Chuchotage is classified as a type of simultaneous interpreting due to the fact it takes place as the speaker is also talking. The actual interpreting process can take place in a few ways, one of which requires the Chucoter to be in very close proximity to their client to deliver a clear translation. Or on the other hand, it can take place via a headset. Typically, the process is best suited to smaller client bases, as it is considered such an intimate process. The most common places for Chuchotage to take place include small, guided tours or small meetings.
Pros:
- Having the interpreter in the room present when the speaker is talking means that the client can see the interpreter talking and performing gestures- this offers a good opportunity for the listener to appreciate and take not of facial expressions and body language.
- The fact that Chuchotage is a form of simultaneous interpretation means it is efficient and smooth in its running- meaning it won’t hinder the client in many ways.
- Chuchotage is advantageous in many settings thanks to its low-key set up. It requires little to no equipment or materials, which adds to its efficiency.
Cons:
- The process of delivering the interpreted speech can often be distracting to other people in the meeting.
- Due to the fact that the process is very intimate and requires a high level of presence from the professional, Chuchotage is often one of the most expensive linguistic services you can call upon.
Telephone interpreting
Telephone interpreting is pretty simple in the sense that it is exactly the same as face-to-face interpreting, but the sole difference is it does not require the client and interpreter to be in the same place at the same time. The idea is that the interpreter will relay information in a specific target language to clients over the phone- by doing so the client gains an understanding of what is happening in a certain setting. Some common places for this method to be used includes doctors’ appointments, police stations and sometimes legal settings (lawyer appointments). It can be carried out in two ways; a two way phone call or three or more way phone call.
Two-way phone call- Each individual client will get spoken to separately by the interpreter. This often requires all clients to be together in the same setting.
Three-way (or more) phone call- Every client involved will participate in the same call at the same time. The interpreter acts as a bridge between all parties present.
Pros:
- Face to face interpreting requires the interpreter to travel which can add additional costs to the service, whereas telephone services can be offered remotely.
- It is particularly useful in the current climate with the pandemic- meaning minimal disruption to services.
- It is accessible to a wide range of clients.
Cons:
- Technical errors can make the service inaccessible at certain times.
- The client is unable to see the interpreter meaning they do not get a grasp on body language or facial gestures.
How does one become an interpreter?
Being a language interpreter is a highly skilled occupation, with many rewarding aspects. A love for language is vital if your intention is a pursue a career in the field. Speaking more than one language natively or fluently is often a great place to start. Most of the time, a suitable degree in linguistics and communication is required to enter the field as a professional interpreter, however some speciality fields such as conference interpreting will almost always require a master’s degree.
Final thoughts
There is a vast array of interpretation methods available in the linguistic field. Each technique has its own set of pros and cons, meaning that one size does not fit all. It is a good idea to shop around for a service that best suits your needs. Consider your needs as a client and which method would be most effective based upon your requirements.
Should you be interested in an interpreting service from Crystal Clear Translation, visit our website for a quote.
by Hammed Sonny | May 8, 2023 | Languages
When one thinks of language diversity and multilingualism in the UK, the first city that comes to mind for most people is probably London! However, it isn’t the most linguistically diverse city in the UK, let alone western Europe. In fact, that title belongs to the city of Manchester, which is home to at least 200 different languages. Although this number is less than the estimated 300 different languages spoken in London, compared to London’s population of 9 million people, Manchester has a much smaller population size of 576,500 people, making it more linguistically dense. In fact, according to research by the University of Manchester as part of a project called “Multilingual Manchester”, researchers found that around 40% of Manchester’s younger population and an estimated 50% of the city’s adult population are multilingual. In addition to this, 20% of Manchester’s adult population registered a
language other than English as their primary language in the 2011 Census. The most widely spoken of the approximately 200 different languages spoken in Manchester are Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Bengali, Polish, and Panjabi..
Urdu
Urdu is the most widely spoken foreign language in Manchester, being spoken by an estimated 13,095 people, according to the last available data. Urdu is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family and is spoken globally by 170 million speakers. The language is also the fourth most widely spoken foreign language in the UK, spoken by an estimated 269,000 people. After the partition of India in 1947, Urdu speakers migrated to the UK from India and Pakistan, settling in northern cities such as Manchester, Leeds, and Bradford, as well as in the West Midlands, Scotland, and London. There are several radio stations and TV stations in the UK which broadcast in Urdu, such as Asian Sound Radio, which is based in Manchester.
Arabic
One of the Semitic languages, Arabic is spoken by 7,037 people in Manchester. According to the 2011 Census, there are 159,290 Arabic speakers in the UK, making Arabic the sixth mostly widely spoken language in the country. The Arabic language was first introduced to Manchester in the 1800s by Turkish cotton traders, followed by Moroccan cloth traders in the 1830s, and Syrian immigrants, who arrived in the city after the First World War. There are several different Arabic language radio and TV stations broadcasting in the UK, such as BBC Arabic.
Chinese
In total, there are around 8,468 Chinese speakers in Manchester. However, the primary dialect of these Chinese speakers is not Mandarin, which is spoken by 851 people, but Cantonese, which is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect/language in Manchester with 1,739 speakers. The many languages that comprise the Chinese group of languages, such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Min, and Wu, are part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is estimated that, globally, there are 1.1 billion Mandarin speakers, making it the most widely spoken of the Chinese languages, followed by Wu and Min (75-80 million speakers), and Cantonese (spoken by 70 million people).
Bengali
Bengali, also known as Bangla, is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. The language, as well as the dialects of Sylheti and Chatgaya, are spoken by 3,114 people in Manchester. In addition to the Bengali speakers in Manchester, the Bengali language is spoken by 114,267 people in London and by 221,403 people in the UK. Two Bengali dialects, known as Sylheti and Chatgaya, are also spoken by people in Manchester. These two dialects, Sylheti and Chatgaya, are categorised as being distinct from the Bengali language, as both dialects use a writing system called the Bengal-Assamese script, whereas Bengali utilises the Bengali script. Whilst Sylheti is regarded as a mutually intelligible dialect of Bengali, Chatgaya is not considered to be mutually intelligible with Bengali.
Polish
Polish is a Slavic language that is part of the Indo-European language family and is spoken by an estimated total of 6,447 people in Manchester, making it the most widely spoken EU language in the city. There are also 147,816 speakers of the Polish language in London, and the language is also the second most widely spoken foreign language in the UK, spoken by a total of 546,000 people. Polish has become more widely spoken in Manchester, as well as the rest of the UK, when Poland became part of the EU in 2004, and more Polish people migrated to live and work in the country.
Punjabi
Punjabi, also known as Panjabi, is part of the Indo-Aryan language family, and is spoken by 4,719 people in Manchester. In the UK, there are 273,000 Punjabi speakers, who account for 0.5% of the total UK population. Punjabi is the second most widely spoken foreign language in the United Kingdom. A significant number of Punjabi speakers immigrated to the West Midlands, in the late 1940s and 1950s after the expansion of the UK citizenship laws in the Commonwealth. Many also came to the UK in the 1970s after the expulsion of all Asian people in Uganda by Idi Amin. There are seven newspapers published in the Punjabi language, such as Sikh Times, and numerous radio stations that broadcast in the language, such as Panjab Radio, Sunrise Radio (based in Manchester), and the BBC Asian Network.
Concluding Thoughts
Given the incredible number of languages spoken in Manchester, the city is a perfect example of linguistic diversity in the UK and the rest of Europe. The language diversity of Manchester might also be evidence of the multilingual future of languages, or it could be a rarity, especially as language learning in UK schools is in decline. If you should require translation or interpretation of any languages or dialect, you may be interested in the excellent services provided by Crystal Clear Translation. At CCT, we employ many efficient and reliable translators able to navigate the intricacies of many different languages and cultures. Click here for a quote if you should need interpretation or translation services in a multitude of different languages.
by Hammed Sonny | Jan 16, 2023 | Africa
The Amazigh languages, also known as the Berber languages, consist of an estimated 40 different languages, which are all part of the Afro-Asiatic language family. It is estimated that the Amazigh languages are spoken by between 25 and 30 million people throughout Northern Africa. Some of the most widely spoken Amazigh languages are Tuareg, Kabyle, Central Atlas Tamazight, Shilha, and Tarifit Berber (Riffian). These languages are spoken most prevalently in North Africa, in countries such as Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mali and Niger.
The Tuareg languages
The Tuareg languages are a group of related dialects, namely Tamasheq, Tamahaq, Air Tamajaq, and Tawellemet. These languages are spoken primarily by the Tuareg people, a nomadic Berber ethnic group, who live mainly in Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa. One of the most spoken Tuareg dialects is Tamasheq, which is spoken most notably in Mali, by an estimated 378,000 people. Like the majority of the Tuareg languages, Tamasheq is written using both a Latin and Tifinagh script and makes use of Arabic loanwords. As Tamasheq uses the Tifinagh script, the original alphabet of the Tuareg people, it is written from left to right. In addition to this, written and spoken Tamasheq (as well as the other Tuareg languages) uses an abjad writing system (derives from the Arabic language), which places greater emphasis on consonants.
Kabyle
The Kabyle language, also known as Taqbaylit, is spoken by 5 million people in Algeria, and 5.59 million total speakers globally. Being an Amazigh language, Kablye is one of the official languages of Algeria alongside French and is used as a lingua franca in the country, especially in professional settings and the home. The language is written in both a Latin script and Tifinagh, although Tifinagh is used solely for logos and symbols rather than as a writing system. As well as being spoken in Algeria, Kabyle is also spoken in Morocco, Tunisia, and the Western Sahara.
Central Atlas Tamazight
Central Atlas Tamazight, also known as Tamaziɣt, is spoken in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia by a total of 4.7 million people. The vast majority of the language’s speakers reside in Morocco, where there are an estimated 4,590,000 speakers of Central Atlas Tamazight. Despite being classified as a threatened language, Tamazight is a major Berber language, and is one of the three Berber dialects spoken in Morocco by 40% of the population. It is used across different multimedia platforms, such as publishing, television, radio, and social media. Like Kabyle and the Tuareg languages, Tamazight is written using the Tifinagh script, although it is primarily written using a Latin script and the Naskh Arabic script. The language is also written using the SVO (subject-verb-object) word order.
Tachelhit
The Tachelhit language, also known as Shilha and Soussiya, is another of the most widely spoken Amazigh languages. In Morocco, there are 7 million Tachelhit speakers, and the language is also spoken in Algeria and Tunisia. The language is used in the Moroccan education system, as it is taught in Moroccan primary schools. It is also used in television, radio, newspapers, and publishing. The language uses the Naskh variant of the Arabic script, a Latin script, and the Tifinagh script.
Tarifit
Tarifit, also known as Riffian, is an Amazigh language spoken in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. It is spoken by 4.2 million people in Morocco, and 4.3 million people in total across Northern Africa. It is part of the Zenati Berber language family (named after the Zenati Amazigh tribe), which is comprised of Berber languages that derived in Morocco and southwestern Algeria. The language features just four vowels (“e, i, a, u”) and 33 consonants. Tarifit uses three different writing systems: the Naskh Arabic script, Latin, and Tifinagh. Like the majority of the most widely spoken Amazigh languages, it is used across television, radio, and in publishing.
In Conclusion
The Amazigh (or Berber) languages spoken throughout Northern Africa and Sub-Sharan Africa are rich, fascinating languages, which are spoken daily by millions of people and will continue to be spoken by millions in the region in the future. These languages use as lingua franca, as well as in different media, are further proof of the culturally diverse language families that are spoken in many different countries in Africa.
If you should require translation of any of the Amazigh languages spoken in Northern Africa, such as Tuareg, Kabyle, Central Atlas Tamazight, Tachelhit, or Tarifit Berber, you would benefit from a translator cognisant of the colloquialisms and language influences of the unique Amazigh languages. At Crystal Clear Translation, you will find many efficient and reliable translators able to navigate the intricacies of many different languages – click here for a quote.
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