How to purify and restore the Somali Language

[Pearl of the Indian Ocean]

It's troubling to see Somali culture and language being overshadowed, with Arabic and English receiving equal footing. Somali language is the essence of our identity, deserving the highest regard. While acknowledging the importance of Arabic and English globally, prioritizing Somali ensures the preservation of our heritage and fosters a sense of belonging.


The solution in my opinion is to elevate the Somali language through political legislations and discourses. This includes:

• Making Somali the only official language of Somalia/Somaliweyn
• Only allow Somali to be spoken at parliament.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali on all official discourse, including political documents, TV-stations, news papers, educational books, official documents from doctors etc. No loan words from any other language.
• Encourage academics in Somali language studies, including the study, expansion and purification of Somali.
• Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.
• Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali in marketing, advertisement, signs, documents etc from private companies. No loanwords or serious fines are to be expected.

This will position the Somali language as a serious and noble language that is to be cherished. Not watered down, let alone put next to another irrelevant languages. The will also refine the perception of Somali in the eyes of the bourgeoisie as they're forced to use Somali when engaging with society in any meaningful way.

Also, a bonus of these changes is that all Somali governments will have to hire Somali academics or people who are knowledgeable in Somali language to make these changes, which will create more jobs.

 

[CABDULWALI XASAN.]

It's troubling to see Somali culture and language being overshadowed, with Arabic and English receiving equal footing. Somali language is the essence of our identity, deserving the highest regard. While acknowledging the importance of Arabic and English globally, prioritizing Somali ensures the preservation of our heritage and fosters a sense of belonging.


The solution in my opinion is to elevate the Somali language through political legislations and discourses. This includes:

• Making Somali the only official language of Somalia/Somaliweyn
• Only allow Somali to be spoken at parliament.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali on all official discourse, including political documents, TV-stations, news papers, educational books, official documents from doctors etc. No loan words from any other language.
• Encourage academics in Somali language studies, including the study, expansion and purification of Somali.
• Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.
• Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali in marketing, advertisement, signs, documents etc from private companies. No loanwords or serious fines are to be expected.

This will position the Somali language as a serious and noble language that is to be cherished. Not watered down, let alone put next to another irrelevant languages. The will also refine the perception of Somali in the eyes of the bourgeoisie as they're forced to use Somali when engaging with society in any meaningful way.

Also, a bonus of these changes is that all Somali governments will have to hire Somali academics or people who are knowledgeable in Somali language to make these changes, which will create more jobs.

our own little Ataturk

I fully disagree with you on translating religious texts, and to be fined for it?? Nuts.


I dont know, do you not pay attention to home? Somali is the only thing spoken over in somalia, they have nothing else. Trying to stop the introduction of loan words into a language is like trying to mop the sea. Its simply impossible in this time period, especially with massive diaspora like ours. But still, people back home speak somali properly and obviously the institutions and schools use somali.

English is the global language, its a product of globalization, banning it would be stupid.

Also arabic aswell, We are muslim and we have had ties to arabic world for centuries (We arent arab tho) It is the language of our religion, of course it would be present. Its not even much of an issue, outside professionals and religion. Arabic isnt really spoken.

The somali script should be written in the arabic script though, it would boost literacy in somalia. + a revised latin script with additional letters and diacritics to properly fit the sounds of the somali language.

 

[Gacmeey]

Language evolves and is influenced through cultural exchange. Nothing wrong with it

 

[EyiPunter]

It's troubling to see Somali culture and language being overshadowed, with Arabic and English receiving equal footing. Somali language is the essence of our identity, deserving the highest regard. While acknowledging the importance of Arabic and English globally, prioritizing Somali ensures the preservation of our heritage and fosters a sense of belonging.


The solution in my opinion is to elevate the Somali language through political legislations and discourses. This includes:

• Making Somali the only official language of Somalia/Somaliweyn
• Only allow Somali to be spoken at parliament.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali on all official discourse, including political documents, TV-stations, news papers, educational books, official documents from doctors etc. No loan words from any other language.
• Encourage academics in Somali language studies, including the study, expansion and purification of Somali.
• Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.
• Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali in marketing, advertisement, signs, documents etc from private companies. No loanwords or serious fines are to be expected.

This will position the Somali language as a serious and noble language that is to be cherished. Not watered down, let alone put next to another irrelevant languages. The will also refine the perception of Somali in the eyes of the bourgeoisie as they're forced to use Somali when engaging with society in any meaningful way.

Also, a bonus of these changes is that all Somali governments will have to hire Somali academics or people who are knowledgeable in Somali language to make these changes, which will create more jobs.

Our language is gone get bantuized due to President h.s because of East African trade union demand we speak jaraer swahili.

 

[Wonyluvr]

Our language is gone get bantuized due to President h.s because of East African trade union demand we speak jaraer swahili.

That’s not how it works

 

[daljirkadahsoon]

It's troubling to see Somali culture and language being overshadowed, with Arabic and English receiving equal footing. Somali language is the essence of our identity, deserving the highest regard. While acknowledging the importance of Arabic and English globally, prioritizing Somali ensures the preservation of our heritage and fosters a sense of belonging.


The solution in my opinion is to elevate the Somali language through political legislations and discourses. This includes:

• Making Somali the only official language of Somalia/Somaliweyn
• Only allow Somali to be spoken at parliament.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali on all official discourse, including political documents, TV-stations, news papers, educational books, official documents from doctors etc. No loan words from any other language.
• Encourage academics in Somali language studies, including the study, expansion and purification of Somali.
• Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.
• Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali in marketing, advertisement, signs, documents etc from private companies. No loanwords or serious fines are to be expected.

This will position the Somali language as a serious and noble language that is to be cherished. Not watered down, let alone put next to another irrelevant languages. The will also refine the perception of Somali in the eyes of the bourgeoisie as they're forced to use Somali when engaging with society in any meaningful way.

Also, a bonus of these changes is that all Somali governments will have to hire Somali academics or people who are knowledgeable in Somali language to make these changes, which will create more jobs.

Most of the points are fine but the Ataturkist 'remove Arabic' from deen is ridiculous.

Arabic is the language of the 1400 year old Islamic heritage why would you deprive people of studying the texts in the original language as is necessary for them to learn?

 

[Wonyluvr]

Somalia is a part of the Arab league of course Arabic is going to be an official language

 

[Farah717]

our own little Ataturk

I fully disagree with you on translating religious texts, and to be fined for it?? Nuts.


I dont know, do you not pay attention to home? Somali is the only thing spoken over in somalia, they have nothing else. Trying to stop the introduction of loan words into a language is like trying to mop the sea. Its simply impossible in this time period, especially with massive diaspora like ours. But still, people back home speak somali properly and obviously the institutions and schools use somali.

English is the global language, its a product of globalization, banning it would be stupid.

Also arabic aswell, We are muslim and we have had ties to arabic world for centuries (We arent arab tho) It is the language of our religion, of course it would be present. Its not even much of an issue, outside professionals and religion. Arabic isnt really spoken.

The somali script should be written in the arabic script though, it would boost literacy in somalia. + a revised latin script with additional letters and diacritics to properly fit the sounds of the somali language.

Alot of people in Somalia can read the Quran in Arabic but have no idea what it means, providing translations in the Somali language can bring them closer to Allah in belief.

 

[Farah717]

Most of the points are fine but the Ataturkist 'remove Arabic' from deen is ridiculous.

Arabic is the language of the 1400 year old Islamic heritage why would you deprive people of studying the texts in the original language as is necessary for them to learn?

We are not Arabs the Quran can be translated in Somali. These Arabs are not special previous revelation from Allah was given in Hebrew and Aramaic.

 

[daljirkadahsoon]

We are not Arabs the Quran can be translated in Somali. These Arabs are not special previous revelation from Allah was given in Hebrew and Aramaic.

Why does this forum have such strange opinions lol. We have been Muslim for 1400 years we will not change our religion

 

[Freudiantard]

It's troubling to see Somali culture and language being overshadowed, with Arabic and English receiving equal footing. Somali language is the essence of our identity, deserving the highest regard. While acknowledging the importance of Arabic and English globally, prioritizing Somali ensures the preservation of our heritage and fosters a sense of belonging.


The solution in my opinion is to elevate the Somali language through political legislations and discourses. This includes:

• Making Somali the only official language of Somalia/Somaliweyn
• Only allow Somali to be spoken at parliament.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali on all official discourse, including political documents, TV-stations, news papers, educational books, official documents from doctors etc. No loan words from any other language.
• Encourage academics in Somali language studies, including the study, expansion and purification of Somali.
• Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.
• Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.
• Mandate the use of pure Somali in marketing, advertisement, signs, documents etc from private companies. No loanwords or serious fines are to be expected.

This will position the Somali language as a serious and noble language that is to be cherished. Not watered down, let alone put next to another irrelevant languages. The will also refine the perception of Somali in the eyes of the bourgeoisie as they're forced to use Somali when engaging with society in any meaningful way.

Also, a bonus of these changes is that all Somali governments will have to hire Somali academics or people who are knowledgeable in Somali language to make these changes, which will create more jobs.

This is what they always do, they try parcelling secular/anti Islam laws as nationalist and language revival inspired, I see you’ve taken a leaf out of Ataturks book. FYI you can purify a substantial portion of Somali excluding Religious sayings, terminology, and still have a pure language.

 

[Sharab]

Somalia is a part of the Arab league of course Arabic is going to be an official language

Arabic first language?

 

[al-Mu'tamid المعتمد]

We are not Arabs the Quran can be translated in Somali. These Arabs are not special previous revelation from Allah was given in Hebrew and Aramaic.

stupid take.

 

[DivineMartial]

Languages change and evolve you cannot stop that and control what comes out of people's mouths. Even Arabic itself is changing as we speak and adopting English/French etc loanwords. Some Arabic dialects have been completely violated and might as well be their own languages like maghrebi Arabic. France itself is trying hard to preserve modern French through gov acadèmie française to no avail

 

[DivineMartial]

Not really. Maghrebi arabic is actually mostly arabic, it originates from the banu hilal who brought said language to the maghreb during their migrations. Maghrebi arabic can also be split into pre-banu hilal and after banu hilal dialects.

What actually makes maghrebi arabic different is it's pronunciation which is heavily influenced by the native berber languages. Egyptian arabic for example has a lot of greek and copt loan words but since everyone watched egyptian media growing up people in arab countries understand it. Maghrebis never had said exposure across the east.

Easy for you to say so since you're part Algerian. I speak Arabic and I can barely understand those abominations

 

[Wonyluvr]

Arabic first language?

No

 

[CABDULWALI XASAN.]

We are not Arabs the Quran can be translated in Somali. These Arabs are not special previous revelation from Allah was given in Hebrew and Aramaic.

I mean translation is fine of course to understand but you must realize that arabic is the language chosen by allah to transmit his message. You cant just change it. Translating it is hard aswell, there are various versions I mean its fine yeah but not as pure as arabic

 

[ICEcold]

Arabic is far better for us than Somali

 

[ICEcold]

Mandate the religion to be preached in Somali. No more aw screaming at people in Arabic at the mosque.

Mandate all religious people to use pure Somali to translate from religious texts. No loan words or there might be fines.

Are you Muslim?

 

[JustSomeGuy]

our own little Ataturk

I fully disagree with you on translating religious texts, and to be fined for it?? Nuts.


I dont know, do you not pay attention to home? Somali is the only thing spoken over in somalia, they have nothing else. Trying to stop the introduction of loan words into a language is like trying to mop the sea. Its simply impossible in this time period, especially with massive diaspora like ours. But still, people back home speak somali properly and obviously the institutions and schools use somali.

English is the global language, its a product of globalization, banning it would be stupid.

Also arabic aswell, We are muslim and we have had ties to arabic world for centuries (We arent arab tho) It is the language of our religion, of course it would be present. Its not even much of an issue, outside professionals and religion. Arabic isnt really spoken.

The somali script should be written in the arabic script though, it would boost literacy in somalia. + a revised latin script with additional letters and diacritics to properly fit the sounds of the somali language.

But he’s right? I see Somalis who genuinely believe themselves to be Arab. The loanwords aren’t that bad considering we live very close to the Middle East thanks to Yemen. Groups of people throughout history tend to borrow some aspects of their cultures from each other, we Somalis and Arabs are no different.

my problem is the fact that the Arabic language and Arab people themselves are glorified. I’m glad you brought up Ataturk, because Türkiye is actually a good model to follow, except the banning of religion. Other than that, the people of Türkiye prioritised their culture, language and people FIRST. They all know who they are and they’re proud of their Turkish identity. They don’t view themselves as Arab.