Learning the language is good for business

Kenya shrugs off fears of neo-colonialism, realizing that learning Chinese can help pave the road to prosperity

Increased economic ties between Kenya and China are elevating Mandarin to an essential language for trade and commerce.

Since China became Africa's No 1 trading partner in 2009, economic engagement between the Asian giant and Kenya has intensified in sync with the rest of the continent. Over the years, Kenya has built a good working relationship with China, which has seen the construction of some major landmarks in the country. The famous Thika Superhighway and the standard gauge railway are just two of the Chinese projects that stand out in Kenya. The Chinese are an increasing presence in the country as they help fuel its development. So the issue of language comes to the fore, as it plays a key role in the sustained and effective communication needed to enhance the relationship between the two parties.

This has led to an increase in the need to teach and learn the Chinese language in the country. Individuals and organizations in Kenya have sought to use language as an economic enabler. The idea has won support from a number of educators and policymakers, resulting in the introduction of Mandarin (among other languages) as an optional subject in Kenya's new curriculum.

It is a welcome addition to the language teaching efforts already underway at the Confucius Institutes in Kenyan universities, including the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University.

The subject of language has been one of the most contentious issues in debates among academics, having been recognized as one of the tools of colonialism in Africa. The old colonial masters left a footprint in their former colonies, language being part of the evidence, and this has sparked debates about Chinese neo-colonization. However, it is imperative to note that China's relations with Kenya and the rest of the continent take the form of a willing partnership rather than one forged by the barrel of the gun, as European colonialism is often characterized.

With the expansion of Chinese economic deals in the country, the introduction of Chinese language teaching in schools is more a pragmatic step than one suggesting cultural imperialism. It is worthwhile noting that a number of Chinese universities also teach African languages such as Kiswahili. This is an indication that an interest in languages is mutual rather than forced.

Learning the Chinese language will, indeed, enable the Kenyan population to understand and appreciate the Chinese people and promote a good working environment as cultural knowledge is diversified.

More important, this is certainly good news for a nation like Kenya, which is interested in promoting business relations and diplomacy with China. Reports indicate that the number of Chinese companies being hosted in Kenya is around 400 at the moment. They employ a substantial number of Kenyans, both full-and part-time. Additionally, the number of Kenyan businesspeople traveling to Chinese cities such as Guangzhou and Yiwu to purchase products for Kenyan consumers is high. Learning the Chinese language can help these traders negotiate.

All in all, learning Chinese has multiple benefits for Kenyans, ranging from opportunities for employment, promotion of cross-cultural communication, diversification of cultural knowledge and facilitation of trade. Moreover, China is today one of the leading sources of tourists to Kenya, meaning that people with Chinese language skills can secure jobs in the country's globally acclaimed tourism industry. It should also not be lost to observers that Chinese is a global diplomatic language by dint of being one of the five official UN languages. In fact, learning Chinese has further benefits for Kenyans because Kenya is the host of the global headquarters for the United Nations Environmental Programme and UN-Habitat. Students who learn Chinese have a chance of securing language-related jobs in these institutions.

The author has a master's degree in African literature from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 09/01/2017 page11)