Can you get by with English in Kenya?
The country’s two official languages — and the ones you’ll hear and see used most frequently — are English and Swahili, which is considered the lingua franca of southeastern Africa for its widespread usage and ubiquity in the areas of trade, commerce, communications and education.
Is English spoken in Nairobi?
Many different languages are spoken across the country as each population has its own dialect. The most common are Kikuyu, Dholuo and Kamba. Sheng, a Swahili-based slang mixed with English is widely spoken in Nairobi.
Do people speak Swahili in Nairobi?
Swahili’s flexibility is also evident in a new urban “language” that is spoken in Kenya’s cities, especially in Nairobi. Swahili, English, and other ethnic languages are combined into a new language called Sheng. It is a language associated with Kenya’s urban youth.
Is Kenya good in English?
Kenyans are the second most fluent English speakers in Africa, according to a ranking by global private language tutor, Education First (EF), a ranking which primes the country to attract foreign investment.
What is the status of English in Kenya?
Today, English is the official language in Kenya, while Swahili enjoys the status of the national language. Both languages function as lingua francas, yet English enjoys a greater prestige and it serves more functions than Swahili. English is used for administrational and educational purposes and also in the media.
Is Swahili hard to learn for English speakers?
How hard is it to learn? Swahili is said to be the easiest African language for an English speaker to learn. It’s one of the few sub-Saharan African languages that have no lexical tone, just like in English. It’s also much easier to read as you read out Swahili words just the way they are written.
Which country in Africa has the best English speakers?
Here are the top 10 English Speaking Countries in Africa.
- Uganda. Uganda comes at number one in the list of African countries where people speak the best English.
- South Africa.
- Nigeria.
- Kenya.
- Zambia.
- Botswana.
- Zimbabwe.
- Malawi.
Which country in Africa speaks English fluently?
Uganda
A report by the World Linguistic Society has named Uganda as the best English speaking country in Africa. The study names Uganda at the top, followed by Zambia, South Africa and Kenya respectively.
Why do Kenya speak English?
The English language was introduced to Kenya along with the United Kingdom’s colonisation of Kenya in 1895, when the East Africa Protectorate was set up before becoming a colony in 1920. The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili, with the latter also recognised as the national language.
Is Tanzania richer than Kenya?
Kenya vs Tanzania: Economic Indicators Comparison Kenya with a GDP of $87.9B ranked the 66th largest economy in the world, while Tanzania ranked 80th with $58B. By GDP 5-years average growth and GDP per capita, Kenya and Tanzania ranked 25th vs 18th and 153rd vs 169th, respectively.
What language do they speak in Nairobi?
Most people in Nairobi speak English. However, some local words are such a fabric of the language that Nairobians assume that they’re part of the English language and that you know them. To avoid miscommunication, learn some basic words like sawa (okay), kesho (tomorrow) and sasa (hello).
Where to learn Swahili in Kenya and Zanzibar?
The Language School in Kenya Nairobi is privileged to have extensive experience in teaching Kiswahili lessons to foreigners in East Africa since 2010. As a result, it is now recognized as one of the best language schools in Nairobi to learn Swahili in Kenya and Zanzibar.
Where can I learn English in Kenya?
English in Kenya: You can now learn English in Kenya at one of the best English language schools in Nairobi. For students and individuals who would like to migrate to or study in English-speaking countries. Often, English is the language or instruction or is a mandatory requirement.
How to talk about Africa with Nairobians?
While in conversation with Nairobians and when talking about Kenya, be careful not to refer to it as ‘ Africa .’ They do not appreciate such generalizations. So don’t just say you’ve visited ‘Africa’ before, be more specific. It’s much more interesting.