Something that stood out to me outside of the coursework during my program was how deeply language ties into socioeconomic opportunity. In Senegal, language is not just communication. It can determine access, identity, and mobility. There are 39 languages spoken across the country, but after French colonization in the 19th century, French remains the official language despite Senegal’s independence. It is the language of schools, government, churches, and power, despite the majority of the citizens speaking Wolof. Arabic can be used in religious education, and local languages are passed down through families and communities. Still, only about 60% of students finish primary school, and without fluency in French, access to higher education or formal jobs becomes a challenge.
What interested me most was how younger Senegalese are navigating all of this. Many are polylingual. They switch between Wolof, French, local languages, and sometimes even English or Spanish. Recently, music, social media, and celebrities have strengthened Wolof’s influence among youth. Now, especially with the new president, there is a growing movement to bring local languages into schools, media, and government. It is part of an effort to preserve cultural identity and push back against colonial legacies.
It reminded me of Pittsburgh. We don’t have the same level of linguistic diversity, but language still influences opportunity here too. While the U.S. does not have an official language, English dominates education, healthcare, and professional life, and fluency, or lack thereof, can create barriers. Multilingualism is usually seen as a bonus, not a necessity. However, in Senegal, speaking multiple languages is essential. It is how people connect, survive, and succeed.
My observations reminded me that language is never just words. It is culture, access, and identity.
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Massamba Gueye Chercheur. (2024, January 23). Wolof is reclaiming ground in Senegal as the French Language wanes. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/wolof-is-reclaiming-ground-in-senegal-as-the-french-language-wanes-194750
Pronczuk, M. (2024, October 4). In Senegal, the bastion of the region’s Francophonie, French is giving way to local languages. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/senegal-francophonie-french-wolof-de364cda29f5ead569ab76f1bcba56d3#
Senegal languages, literacy, maps, endangered languages, population, official use (SN): Ethnologue Free. Ethnologue (Free All). (n.d.). https://www.ethnologue.com/country/SN/
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