PRESS RELEASE - Center for African Studies Launches African Languages Translation Initiative

December 9, 2022 - On the eve of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the Center for African Studies at Howard University is pleased to announce the launch of the African Languages Translation Initiative (ALTI) and the release of translations of the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa into Amharic, Swahili, Yoruba, and Zulu.  ALTI aims to encourage inter-cultural communication and understanding between Americans and Africans through the translation of documents, texts and information into critical African languages.  The translations  of the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa were completed by Howard University students and faculty, with the goal of facilitating engagement with diverse audiences around the important issues strategic to US-Africa relations.

“In the words of Nelson Mandela, 'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart'. Participating in this initiative means we, as a University and as a nation, undoubtedly value what the African continent does and can bring to the world. Indeed so many lessons can be learned when we begin to value, teach, learn, and understand other languages. It is in the word, 'ubuntu', or 'I am because we are', we may find a key piece of humanity that is urgently needed. The translation of the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa document is a start.” – Alyson Haylor, Zulu student translator.

For more information about the African Languages Translation Initiative, please visit: https://cfas.howard.edu/africa-languages-translation-initiative

About the Center for African Studies

The Center for African Studies (CfAS) at Howard University is a comprehensive Title VI National Resource Center and a campus-wide hub that supports and enhances Africa-related teaching and research across Howard University’s schools, academic departments and centers. In accordance with the mission and vision of Howard University, the Center works to consolidate and expand the legacy of Howard University as a leader for America and the global community in relation to the study of Africa. The Center promotes and supports teaching of African languages (Amharic, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu) in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, as well as research, instruction and training in other academic and professional fields to provide a fuller understanding of Africa.

Point of Contact

Dr. Krista Johnson
Director of the Center for African Studies, Howard University
kmjohnson@howard.edu