{"id":120567,"date":"2026-02-25T15:44:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/code-switching-and-foreign-languages-threaten-ikinyarwanda"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:37:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T16:37:31","slug":"code-switching-and-foreign-languages-threaten-ikinyarwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/code-switching-and-foreign-languages-threaten-ikinyarwanda","title":{"rendered":"Code-Switching and Foreign Languages Threaten Ikinyarwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Intentional distortion of Ikinyarwanda, code-switching, slang, and borrowed words from regional languages are among the main factors contributing to the erosion of the Rwandan language, officials have warned.<\/p>\n

These practices are particularly common in the City of Kigali, where 32 per cent of residents believe that mixing languages is a sign of higher status, according to Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA).<\/p>\n

This perception persists even though 94 per cent of Rwandans consider Kinyarwanda as their identity and very important in their daily lives, according to Amb. Robert Masozera, RCHA Director General.<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic services play a major role in the language\u2019s decline. Many service providers, including banks, insurance companies, and telecom firms, primarily operate in English and other languages,\u201d Masozera said.<\/p>\n

He noted that at least 78 per cent of service providers use English, while only 15 per cent of public signage is written in Ikinyarwanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis trend is preventable and we call for greater efforts to ensure that Ikinyarwanda is valued and prioritized, especially at a time when emerging influences continue to threaten its significance,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

These concerns were raised during the 23rd edition of International Mother Language Day, celebrated on Tuesday, February 24, in Kigali.<\/p>\n

The International Mother Language Day celebration was attended by students from schools in Kigali, including Colle\u0300ge Saint-Andre\u0301, Lyce\u0301e de Kigali, G.S. Cyahafi, and many others.<\/p>\n

The audience included Rwandan youth and their parents from Belgium, who are in Rwanda for a 10-day cultural study tour, as well as students from schools in Kigali such as Colle\u0300ge Saint-Andre\u0301, Lyce\u0301e de Kigali, and G.S. Cyahafi, and virtual attendance from Colle\u0300ge du Christ-Roi de Nyanza.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that due to country\u2019s history, many Rwandans were affected and couldn\u2019t speak Ikinyarwanda as they should but that\u2019s no longer the case today. The 32 per centage in Kigali is so alarming,\u201d Masozera said.<\/p>\n

Amb. Robert Masozera, Director General of RCHA, speaks during the celebration of the 23rd edition of International Mother Language Day on Tuesday, February 24.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that some people may choose to distort the language or engage in code-switching because they lack appropriate words to use in a specific context. However, he noted others intentionally undermine the language.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are undermining its value. They consider it a cheap language, not a business language, and not relevant in the modern world. Those threats to the language are known. We urge everyone to fight these misconceptions. Government policy encourages public figures and officials to be at the forefront of this effort since they can influence others either positively or negatively. They should be part of the solution, not the source of erosion of the language,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Role of influencers<\/p>\n

The event included performances by Gakondo singer Ruti Joel, reading competitions, poetry recitals, and many other cultural activities aimed at encouraging people to reconsider the value of Ikinyarwanda and champion efforts against its erosion.<\/p>\n

The singer believes that code-switching does not make someone more relevant and is not a marker of intelligence.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing is as impressive as speaking Ikinyarwanda well and using foreign languages where necessary,\u201d he said. \u201cWe learned those languages so that we can communicate with those who cannot speak Ikinyarwanda. So why would I communicate with a Rwandan in English?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gakondo singer pointed out that artistes are partly responsible for the erosion of Kinyarwanda because of their influence, as fans often embrace melodies that sometimes mislead them and gradually adopt the message.<\/p>\n

Protective measures are urgent<\/p>\n

Abdallah Utumatwishima, the Minister of Youth and Arts, noted that if a language is not protected from emerging threats, it can be eroded to the point where it is no longer relevant. He noted that Ikinyarwanda is a pillar of national unity and preserving it is as important as safeguarding any other national treasure.<\/p>\n

Abdallah Utumatwishima, Minister of Youth and Arts, deliver his remarks during the celebration of the 23rd edition of International Mother Language Day in Kigali on Tuesday, February 24.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in Rwanda, and speaking Ikinyarwanda should be part of what we strive for. Learning our mother tongue requires dedicated time, consultation, reading books, and engaging with educational content on various platforms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Esperance Nyiramana Nassy, who accompanied her two children from Lie\u0300ge, Belgium, and who are part of a group visiting Rwanda, said that raising a child abroad requires attention and dedicated time, especially through culture-related programmes, where children are taught more about Rwanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a continuous battle. We stay close to their development, especially in helping them understand their origin. That matters most in shaping their direction. They are now able to read, count, and name colors and months in Kinyarwanda without being forced. We are looking forward to maintaining that momentum,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\r\n