Has The Time Come To Make English Somalia's 2nd Language?

[SomaliDefenceCouncil]

All the diaspora Somali's speak English as their 2nd language and usually where the diaspora's lead the locals follow (well maybe).

I think that for economic reasons and for tourism, the government of Somalia should make English as Somalia's 2nd language, officially.

Over 1.5 billion people speak English, just imagine about the possibilities of Somalia connecting itself with this Anglo-phone speaking community.

We could also have a impact by selling ourselves, idea's and putting Somalia on the map, having a 24/7 Somali English speaking channel could do wonders.



English language should be made mandatory in Somalia's education system, in-fact nobody should be allowed to study in any respectable university in Mogadishu without having a certificate in English language.

The Somali language itself over the past twenty years has struggled for its very own existence, I also think that its time that the government introduced measures to preserve and protect the Somali language for decades to come.

[AbtiiDoon]

How has the somali language struggled for its own existence? That's rubbish bro.

[SomaliDefenceCouncil]

How has the somali language struggled for its own existence? That's rubbish bro.

Language + culture, yes, because of the war. Today in the Somali language you could easily find many words borrowed from English/Arabic.

For example how would you say the colour blue in the Somali language. You wouldn't be able too because we use the English word instead to describe the colour blue..

Also what happened to our famed poetry? We used to have a very rich history in Somali poetry. The government of Somalia needs to sponsor a school of arts that specializes in Somali poetry.

There's a pretty decent website here that has Somali/English poetry. http://www.poetrytranslation.org/poems/ ... age/Somali

A good poem from poet/musician Faysal Cumar Mushteeg who died in September 2012.

Don’t disown or refuse me!
Don’t hurl me in a hole with enemies!
Don’t keep me alone and away from you
With love’s dangerous storms!
Don’t push me towards people
Who walk a darker path!
I’m a dolt who’ll bend to your wishes:
Don’t sin by making me sin!

Don’t strike against the soil, don’t fly!
Don’t hurry in haste: stay, just stay!
It isn’t right to despise one’s country,
I don’t deserve to be loved and left.

The pig won’t defy others
so at death it goes to hell –
this demonstrates why children
must defend their families.
I’ve chosen you, my dear.
I can’t let you desert me,
for that dumb, rich man,
for some dull stooge!

Don’t strike against the soil, don’t fly!
Don’t hurry in haste: stay, just stay!
It isn’t right to despise one’s country,
I don’t deserve to be loved and left.

t’s due to you
I’ve roamed directionless.
People were dismayed -
thought I was duped,
But my heart’s decided on you:
Feel the tender damage,
Let me know I can depend
On you to try your damnedest!

Don’t strike against the soil, don’t fly!
Don’t hurry in haste: stay, just stay!
It isn’t right to despise one’s country
I don’t deserve to be loved and left.

The literal translation of this poem was made by Maxamed Xasan 'Alto'
The final translated version of the poem is by Clare Pollard