The role of Kiswahili as a lingua franca in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

In this paper I examine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that use the lingua franca Kiswahili and for what purposes. First is a description of what a lingua franca is followed by a brief history of the lingua franca Kiswahili. I then analyse the general and specific roles of the lingua franca in Sub-Saharan Africa. Five distinct roles have been identified: Kiswahili for detribalisation and class formation, political participation, secularisation and Kiswahili in science and technology (Safari, 1980).