The president of the Wagadu Jiida association, Khalil Sy, has made a plea for the introduction of the Soninke language into the digital ecosystem. This move aims to safeguard the language's usage in the face of urbanization and emigration. Sy expressed concerns that as people move to urban areas, they may be assimilated into the predominantly spoken language, leading to the erosion of their native tongue.
The association recently celebrated the 3rd edition of the International Soninke Language Day, with this year's theme focusing on "From Oral to Written: Making Soninke a Language of Production, Learning, and Creation in the 21st Century." The national celebration carried the theme "Yesterday and Today, Wagadu Jiida Remembers." Sy emphasized the need to adapt the Soninke language for the digital age, suggesting that including Soninke letters on keyboards would facilitate its use, particularly among young people.
The Wagadu Jiida association aims to promote Soninke through various means, including the production of cinematic and audiovisual content. Sy hopes that by engaging young people with Soninke media, they will be encouraged to learn and appreciate their native language. He also highlighted the existence of Soninke language books, which, although written, remain largely inaccessible due to limited publication and distribution.
To address this issue, the association plans to seek partnerships to facilitate the publication and dissemination of Soninke language books. Sy drew parallels with the way French literature, such as Molière's works, is widely read and appreciated, suggesting that similar efforts could be made to promote Soninke literature. By making Soninke language materials more widely available, the association hopes to foster a love of reading and learning among young people.
As part of the International Soninke Language Day celebrations, the association organized a poetry and storytelling competition to encourage young people to engage with their native language. Sy stressed the importance of community involvement in preserving and promoting the Soninke language, urging parents to pass on their linguistic heritage to their children.
The association is committed to supporting the government's efforts to introduce Soninke language instruction in rural areas. Sy expressed his willingness to collaborate with authorities to make this vision a reality, ensuring that the Soninke language continues to thrive for future generations.
The push to promote the Soninke language is seen as crucial in preserving Senegal's cultural diversity. With urbanization and migration on the rise, the Wagadu Jiida association's efforts aim to ensure that the Soninke language remains a vibrant part of Senegalese culture, both in rural areas and in the digital landscape.
Key points
- The Wagadu Jiida association is advocating for the inclusion of the Soninke language in the digital ecosystem to preserve its usage among urbanized and migrant communities.
