An Introduction to

 
North Africa 
Arabic (See Near Eastern Languages) 
Sudanese Arabic 
 
West Africa and Adjoining Regions 
With the exception of Hausa and Pulaar, all the languages have substantial 
heritage populations in the United States and have strong historical connections 
with the African Diaspora. For instance, the Yoruba language and religion is still 
very much alive in Cuba, Brazil, and the U.S. In Ghana, where Akan is the 
dominant language, Accra and the coastal towns of Elmina and Cape Coast are 
dotted with castles which served as holding forts for African slaves during the 
slave trade. These languages are therefore important not only in terms of their 
antiquity, the culture and civilizations they transmit, but also in terms of their 
Diasporic influence even today. The following languages are offered: Akan 
(Twi), Bamana, Hausa, Pulaar, Igbo, Krio, Yoruba, Wolof. 
 
Eastern Africa and Adjoining Regions 
Eastern African languages such as Swahili and Amharic have long, extensive 
written records spanning millennia. Amharic is widely used in Ethiopia, and 
Swahili, though native to Kenya and Tanzania, is also spoken in eight other 
African countries. Swahili, which is also spoken in several Gulf States such as 
Oman, is perhaps the most widely broadcasted African language around the 
world. Languages offered are: Amharic, Gikuyu, Kikongo, Oromo, Swahili. 
Southern Africa 
Like the rest of the other African languages, Southern African languages are rich 
in art, culture, and history. Most of these languages have the famous click sound. 
Another unique thing about them is that they are all mutually intelligible. For 
instance, Xhosa and Zulu are intelligible to all Nguni people of Southern Africa. 
Taking one of these languages will enable one to communicate with people in 
several countries in the region. The following languages are offered: Xhosa, 
Shona, Setswana, Zulu. 
The languages being offered through the African Language Program also relate 
to many courses being offered on Africa. Opportunities for Study Abroad in 
Africa are also available as are summer intensive language courses both within 
the U.S. and in Africa.