around 6.6 million · 1 writing systems
Language of Kenya
Kenya has a rich tapestry of languages, with major languages including Swahili and English. Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is widely spoken across East Africa and serves as Kenya's national language, while English is the official language used in education and government. There are also numerous indigenous languages spoken by different ethnic communities.
About the Script
In Kenya, Swahili is written using the Latin alphabet, but it includes some special sounds that aren't in English.
Script Explorer
Swahili Phoneme Highlights
Used for writing Swahili, this script has unique sounds that aren't found in English.
Phrase Cards
Fun Fact
Swahili has borrowed many words from Arabic, as it was historically influenced by traders along the East African coast.
Fun Fact
The word 'safari', meaning journey, comes from the Swahili language.
Cultural Note
Language is an important part of identity for many Kenyans, and people often speak multiple languages.
Vocabulary
Did you know that while English uses only 26 letters, Swahili language phonemes add unique sounds like 'ch', 'dh', and 'gh'?
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