Swahili the Language

Swahili is a Bantu language spoken by about 35 million. Swahili is an official language of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya and is used as a lingua franca throughout East Africa. The name Swahili comes from the Arabic word sawahili(coasts) and the language contains a lot of vocabulary from Arabic, Persian, Malagasy, English, German and Portuguese. The earliest known manuscript in Swahili, a poetic epic, was written in the Arabic script and dates from 1728. During the 19th century Swahili was used as the main language of administration by the European colonial powers in East Africa and under their influence the Latin alphabet was increasingly used to write it.

In the world of interpreting and translation services, rare languages present unique challenges and opportunities. These languages, often spoken by small or isolated communities, are not widely known, or studied compared to more mainstream languages. However, they are just as important when it comes to facilitating communication and understanding across cultures.

One of the main challenges in dealing with rare languages is the scarcity of qualified linguists. Unlike languages with large speaker populations, finding competent professionals in rare languages can be extremely difficult. This scarcity can lead to longer wait times for services and may also result in higher costs due to the specialised nature of the work.

Moreover, the lack of resources and educational opportunities for rare languages means that language professional often must rely on their own initiative to develop their skills. They may need to self-study or seek out mentorship from others in their community who are proficient in the language. Additionally, there may be limited materials available for reference or research, making the task even more challenging.

Despite these obstacles, providing linguistic services for rare languages is crucial for ensuring that all Limited English Speakers(LES) have access to vital information and services. For example, in healthcare settings, being able to communicate effectively with patients who speak the rare languages is essential for providing quality care. Similarly, in legal proceedings, accurate interpretation and translation can be the difference between justice being served de or denied.

Overall, while rare languages may present unique challenges, they also offer valuable opportunities for linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. By supporting interpreters and translators working with rare languages, we can ensure that all voices are heard, and all individuals are able to participate fully in society, regardless of the language they speak.

Linah Makembu

The Founding Director

Linah is a language professional  working from English to Swahili. She specialises in the areas of criminal and justice, immigration, legal and healthcare in the North of  England.

She started her linguistic journey as a volunteer in 2019 in a local church, a service  she still carries out today. She has a  Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) Law from the International School of Linguists.

She is as associate member of  the Institute of Translation and Interpreting  (ITI) and Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), a Language Assessor with DPSI Online,  Member of the Union of Professional Interpreters and Translators (NUPIT) and  a former board member of ITI.

Ms Makembu has a keen interest in advocacy work and the development and representation of Africa’s rare languages to ensure equitable access to resources.

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