Kenya how many languages

Staff at hotels will appreciate a gesture on your part if their service has been good. A guide will expect between and shillings per day per person and it is customary to give a tip at the end of a safari. Handicrafts in Kenya vary from region to region, but their universal beauty is a common element.

Materials used to craft objects include metal, leather, braided or woven fabrics and wood. The production of basketry is popular baskets, bags, baskets as well as gorgeous printed fabrics. Artisans use soapstone to shape objects and statues. Gold and silver are used to craft intricate jewellery. Kenyan food is simple and each tribe has its own specialities. Ugali is hugely popular and is a cooked starchy paste made from flour and water.

Grilled meats of goat and sheep are also favourites on the national menu. International cuisine is available in many hotels and lodges, where you can also enjoy good quality meat, vegetables and fruit.

Kenyan cooking on the coast is some of the best in the country, where various Africa, Indian and Arab influences have infused dishes with various spices. Fish and shellfish are also distinguished here. We recommend that you avoid drinking tap water during your stay in Kenya and to be cautious when consuming ice and washed fruits and vegetables.

Soft drinks and fruit juices are available everywhere. Tea and coffee with milk and sugar is in plentiful supply. Beer is very popular and sold in bottles of 50cl — Tusker, Pilsner, White Cap and Castle are the most common.

Kenya produces wine in Lake Naivasha. From the capital of Nairobi to the vast plains of the Masai Mara in a few days, this itinerary offers a view of Kenya's[ Enjoy a romantic, al fresco bush breakfast with breathtaking views of the Masai Mara.

Enjoy a bush breakfast with a view in Laikipia. Our team of destination experts will start by getting to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday. We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities. All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local concierges.

Unable to speak in his local language, he holds society and his parents responsible for not teaching him his mother tongue. He said that he can speak the English part of Sheng, but has trouble pronouncing his own mother tongue.

Similarly, Peter Waithaka, 25, said he can understand Kikuyu, his mother tongue, but is unable to use it to speak. With over 40 tribes inhabiting Kenya, it is home to numerous languages and dialects, passed down from generation to generation. The country has adopted Swahili and English, which are taught in schools, as the two national languages. The local languages which connect people to their ethnic groups are only learned at home when children grow up.

She said that many young parents do not know their languages themselves, so they cannot teach them to their own children. They feel it is better to teach them Swahili and English than their own mother tongue, which is why they grow up not knowing these languages.

Subscribe to get updates on the newest trends and technology in the language industry! Official Languages of Kenya [Updated ]. My lifelong passions are languages and writing.

I speak English, Bulgarian, German and Russian. Culture Language. Source In this blog, we will break down the linguistic heritage of one of the most beautiful and multiethnic countries in Africa — Kenya. English In Kenya became a British colony, but it was a protectorate since Source The official English language mentioned is a relatively standard variety. Swahili This is the most widely spoken language in the country and is considered to be the lingua franca of Eastern Africa.

Source : Interestingly, Swahili originated from Kenya. OH, HEY! We'll send you all kinds of awesome tips, industry news, and interesting language facts. Can we count you in? First Name Email Count me in! Minority or tribal languages of Kenya As mentioned above, there are nearly 70 languages spoken in Kenya. Immigrant languages of Kenya The linguistic diversity of Kenya significantly boosted by immigration from South Asia or more particularly, from India.

These Indian communities are recognized as minorities and have the status of a Kenyan tribe. To Conclude To say that Kenya is a diverse country would be simply an understatement! Submit a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. You May Also Like…. Join Our Newsletter Subscribe to get updates on the newest trends and technology in the language industry! Name Email Subscribe. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences.

In case of sale of your personal information, opt out by checking the box Do not sell my personal information. While English is used in official matters, Swahili is much more commonly spoken by the people. The rest of the languages spoken are mainly tribal languages belonging to the Bantu, Cushitic and Nilotic language families, but Arabic as well as several South Asian languages are also spoken by immigrants. The languages belonging to the Bantu branch of the Niger-Congo language family are the most dominant in Kenya.

The Nilotic branch of languages belong to the Nilo-Saharan language family. The most spoken Nilotic languages in Kenya are Dholuo and Kalenjin. The Cushitic group of languages belong to the Afroasiatic language family which also comports a wide range of other tongues, such as the Middle-Eastern Arabic and Hebrew, but in this context more importantly Somali and Rendille which are the two Cushitic languages spoken in Kenya. Arabic, Hindustani, Punjabi and a variety of other languages including English as a first language are also found in Kenya and are mostly spoken by more or less recent immigrants.

The two official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. They are both second languages to most Kenyans who speak them and function as a kind of Lingua Francas in the country.

The English language in Kenya came to the country when it became a British protectorate in and later, in , a colony. Since then, English has been the language of most official matters such as laws, administration, politics and big-scale business.

While the official English language used by the government, media and educational institutions is relatively standard, a certain variant of Kenyan English is commonly used in the country as well. Kenyan English is mutually intelligible from most English dialects, but it is distinguished by having certain figures of speech, specific vocabulary and another pronunciation.

These are second language speakers, however. People who speak English as a first language in Kenya are very few, and are limited mostly to English and American immigrants. The language is taught in Schools, where children learn to speak it in its Standard Zanzibar-accent.