A new Kinyarwanda dictionary, tailored to the domains of economy and finance, has been introduced, marking a significant step in Rwanda's linguistic and economic advancement.
Unveiled on February 21 during a consultation convened by the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) to champion Kinyarwanda as part of the observance of International Mother Language Day, the dictionary encompasses 2,745 specialised terms across 259 pages.
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It was compiled in response to the realisation that Rwandans faced challenges in identifying new vocabulary, particularly in the fields of economy and finance, due to the lack of Kinyarwanda translations, said Robert Masozera, the Director General of RCHA.
"The dictionary will assist individuals who previously struggled to find suitable words and terms or resorted to creating non-standardised ones,” he continued. "It also addresses a crucial gap in service delivery, particularly in banking, revenue, and taxation, where Rwandans struggled with unfamiliar terminologies.”
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RCHA sought guidance from experts in the fields of economy and finance during the development of the dictionary.
The dictionary is currently available in hard copies but the institution is planning to avail it online to ensure accessibility for a wide range of users and stakeholders – a platform that is expected to provide a space for suggestions of words or terms that require equivalence in Kinyarwanda to be incorporated in the next edition.
Masozera noted that the digital format will simplify searches, allowing users familiar with English or French to input words and receive their Kinyarwanda translations.
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When asked about the status of the Kinyarwanda language, he expressed confidence in its resilience, pointing to its widespread usage across borders and its integral role in various sectors within the country.
These factors, he emphasised, are among the key reasons why he believes the language will not face extinction.
Masozera acknowledged challenges, such as misuse and the unfamiliarity of some Rwandans, particularly those in the diaspora, though he said there is a growing interest in learning the language.
English prevalent in Kigali's communal areas
The findings of a research conducted by RCHA in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), which investigated the relationship between Kinyarwanda and other national languages, were also shared at the event.
The study focused on the language's usage in communal areas such as roads, markets, taxi parks, stadiums, construction sites, and commercial areas.
According to the findings, English is the most prevalent language in these areas, specifically signposts and signage, accounting for 42.6 per cent of usage alone, 24 per cent when combined with Kinyarwanda, and 4 per cent when combined with French.
Kinyarwanda was found to be used exclusively 15 per cent of the time, while French accounted for 4 per cent, and Kiswahili for 1.2 per cent of language usage.
Furthermore, the study revealed that among the surveyed population, a majority of individuals who pass by or work in the communal areas tend to mix languages.
Specifically, 73 per cent reported mixing languages, especially in speech, while 23 per cent stated that they do not mix languages.
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Diogene Musabeyezu, an official at RCHA responsible for research on sociolinguistics and literature stated that the research has evolved into a call to action, with RCHA planning to establish guidelines for the use of national languages.
He reassured that Kinyarwanda won’t become extinct unless all its speakers die, so there is no immediate cause for concern. However, he stressed the importance of preservation measures.
"A national language should be evident in both words and actions. We encourage Rwandans to value Kinyarwanda and allocate time to its use in all aspects of life, giving it the respect it deserves," he said.
Musabeyezu further emphasised that Kinyarwanda should not be perceived as stagnant, but rather as a dynamic language that evolves.
"Rwandans should not view Kinyarwanda as a static language. It evolves over time, incorporating new words that are deemed important while discarding others. This is how a language grows. I am optimistic that it will become a great language," he said.
In addition to the launched specialised dictionary on economy and finance, RCHA has worked on other dictionaries for biology and agriculture, among others. The institution also announced plans to develop a dictionary focused on ICT, which is slated for release in 2026.