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Losing my language

More than 2000 languages are spoken across Africa, but young Africans are often pressured to adopt English or French in order to succeed.

More than 2000 languages are spoken across Africa, but young Africans are often told that they need to speak English or French in order to succeed. In the process, native languages are being marginalised and it has resulted in a ‘linguistic famine’. Three people from South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana who have been pressured to adopt a different language reveal the impact on their lives and relationships.

Presenter: Kim Chakanetsa
Producer: Mary Goodhart

27 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Nov 202102:32GMT
BBC World Service East Asia

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  • Wed 10 Nov 202104:32GMT
    BBC World Service except Australasia, East Asia & South Asia
  • Wed 10 Nov 202105:32GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
  • Wed 10 Nov 202111:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Wed 10 Nov 202121:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Wed 10 Nov 202123:32GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sat 13 Nov 202102:32GMT
    BBC World Service East Asia

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  • The Comb

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