[Black Lion]

Afriki mentioned in the Swahili thread that it would be a good idea to have a room on BNV where people can go and learn about or pick up on an African Language. Have been taking an interest in Pan African groups who support the promotion of Swahili as a Trading Language amongst us, particularly here in europe where the language barrier is prevailant, the need to separate ourselves from western culture applies across board of course.

Anyway, what would people say to a Language Resource room on BNV? It wouldn't focus on Swahili, the title is self explanatory.

Opinions?

Peace
B.L

[Afriki]

Originally Posted by Black Lion

Afriki mentioned in the Swahili thread that it would be a good idea to have a room on BNV where people can go and learn about or pick up on an African Language. Have been taking an interest in Pan African groups who support the promotion of Swahili as a Trading Language amongst us, particularly here in europe where the language barrier is prevailant, the need to separate ourselves from western culture applies across board of course.

Anyway, what would people say to a Language Resource room on BNV? It wouldn't focus on Swahili, the title is self explanatory.

Opinions?

Peace
B.L

Of course I second the idea.
I remember being a bit surprised there wasn't already one here when I joined. I know we had that thread "Teach your language" something or other but it was a bit difficult to follow as you would imagine with all of the languages there are, even just amongst ourselves here at BNV. I think it would be easier to follow and therefore more interest would be shown if it was set up in a way that the creation of sub-topics is possible.
Also, BL mentioned the added benefit of being able to practice speaking the languages with those also learning as well as those who speak. Those of us who speak already can teach, and through that become even more proficient, and those of us who want to learn the basics of another language or a language, can.

Anyways, since language is the tool of communication and communication is the means to understanding I think a resource like this is ideal (especially in light of the recent BNV east-coast/west-coast battles )

[RLB]

I agree with this idea.

I mean there’s the ‘Sports Village’, a room set up to discuss 20 plus grown men kicking a leather sack filled with air, around a giant grassy area whilst wearing shorts AND getting paid £150,000 a week!

Not exactly the most ‘African centred’ thing that I can think of.

This isn’t something that even needs to be debated really

[Black Lion]

Of course I second the idea.

You initiated it, only posted it as you were busy and didn't reply to my P.M.

Would be fun learning a word a day online at work.

[Shemsi en Tehuti]

I'm all for it...

I can think of 2 African languages I definitely want to know how to speak....

[Maat]

I like the idea and could do with an online Somali translator so if anyone has one please send the link

To practise speaking I think would be the tricky bit with pronounciations but for getting used to the conversation side maybe the blackchat rooms could be used with set times to practise one language at a time.

If there's enough interest then the forum might be created so let's see what happens....

[Kunjufu]

Ok people i will look about setting up a forum on this subject over this weekend....

[Black Lion]

Long weekend?

[Afriki]

Originally Posted by Black Lion

Long weekend?

haha. fer real.
I'm excited though and glad that you all are giving it some consideration.
I hope to learn some other languages...particularly from Togo and Cameroon since I plan on moving there for a couple of years.
I don't know if it's relevant (I think it could be) but I'd also like to brush up on my French if only to communicate better in francophonic African countries so I think it could be beneficial to some of us to include that in with the other languages.

[Kunjufu]

Originally Posted by Black Lion

Long weekend?

Oops..sorry i totally got sidetracked it will happen by THIS weekend at the latest ok...

[RLB]

Originally Posted by Afriki

haha. fer real.
I'm excited though and glad that you all are giving it some consideration.
I hope to learn some other languages...particularly from Togo and Cameroon since I plan on moving there for a couple of years.
I don't know if it's relevant (I think it could be) but I'd also like to brush up on my French if only to communicate better in francophonic African countries so I think it could be beneficial to some of us to include that in with the other languages.

I’m not trying to rain on your parade but I don’t think non native African languages should promoted in that section as it takes something away from what we are trying to do, which is encourage Africans to learn an native African tongue.

If we include French than we may as well include Afrikaans then someone will be interested in Arabic then someone else in German all for the same reason you mentioned, then the next thing you know, the African language section becomes a languages section and it loses all meaning, especially when most people there are learning Spanish or something.

I’m not trying to scupper your plans or dampen your enthusiasm, not that I could, but you can go into any of the thousands of ‘cut priced’ bookshops and pick up ‘Teach yourself French’ books for a £1 and the are billions of sites on the internet that teaches French, German and Spanish. Those languages have never been difficult to promote and there are no shortage of options for you to find out more and converse with other people who are also learning those languages.

I just think it is better to keep the focus on Africa and get more of us conversing in a language that isn’t European.

[Black Lion]

French, *creole* is the main language of some African countries its also spoken in the Carribean, difficult to not include them if people want to go to those countries to do work there, upto the mods really, don't think you can exclude languages like that, another would be Portugese spoken by a lot of us in South America, mainly Brazil. Would like to learn that language myself although not on the site, hoping one gyal will be able to teach me that one.

* Personally think the term 'creole' is insulting, same with 'pidgin'.

[RLB]

Yeah, I understand the practicalities of what your saying, but we have to look at why is French Portuguese English and German the main language of some African countries?

As a result of colonialism just like we are all typing in English now.. If we follow that course, then we should also include learning Afrikaans- something I would hope and pray, NEVER happens here.

I’m not sure whether these languages are b@stardised versions of the native European languages if the are mixed with local languages then fair enough but if they are not, then wouldn’t it be better for us to maintain the ‘sanctity’ ,so to speak, of an African language section and not to promote European languages in here?

It a bit like us creating a section dedicated to African actors & actresses then posting picture and bios of Arnold Vosloo and Charlize Theron because they were born on the continent.

I understand that this is your and Afrikis idea and I'm sure you knew what you envisoned, but there is just a part of me that says we shouldn’t be promoting the likes of German, partly because of its past with regards to Africans and partly because I just fcuking hate Germans (sausage munching, beer swigging b@stards) and their angry @ssed language.

Either way, it will be great to have this section up and running so I won’t put up too much objection, just a few points for your consideration.

Originally Posted by Black Lion