AFTER the production of Kiswahili software [MS Windows and Office] my biggest disappointment has been the failure to promote the adoption and use of the software by those who daily use Kiswahili.

I was so naive to believe that after its production Tanzanian willl rush to get it. It has not been so. I am disappointed also because at that time I also believed that with Kiswahili software availability we could easily translate any topic, any course, any knowledge into Kiswahili very systematically, scientifically and very fast. It has not happened.

So does it mean Tanzanians don't want to use their own language for their development and intellectual growth? If there are 800 people forming a country somewhere in New Zealand or 40,000 people somewhere in North America- but are using their own language in print and electronically-why not us? Laziness? indecision? ignornace? lack of confidence? Unsure of what we want to achieve in this world? What is exactly rhe reason.

And should we the 'pioneers' of Kiswahili as a medium of instruction in our schools -just forget it all and concentrate on comparative and historical research? God forbid.

No,no, please let revive the talk-let us talk about Kiswahili, about Kiswahili being our most respected language, about Kiswahili uniting East and Central Africa, about Kiswahili being the cultrual jewel of Africa and Africans.

Keep on talking and the people will hear us.....just like what Mzee Changa has done. He wants to table 'a Kiswahili hoja' to the parliament. Because our MPs are yet to think about this.

So welcome to my Blog, which will be in both Kiswahili and English....

KISWAHILI
KAMA mwalimu wa Kiswahili, Mhariri wa Magazeti ya Kiswahili, Mwandishi wa Habari na mmojawapo wa wale walioshiriki katika kutafsiri MS Windows na Office Kwa Kiswahili 2004-2006 nina usononi mkubwa wa kuona kuwa jitihada zetu zimegonga mwamba na kwamba bado kuna kazi kubwa ya kuwafanya Watanzania wakikubali na kukitumia Kiswahili katika maisha yao ya kila siku.

Nina maswali kadhaa ambayo ningelipenda tuyajadili katika blogi hii.
1. Hivi kuna nchi isiyotumia lugha yake ya asili duniani iliyoendelea?
2. Hivi nchi inayotumia lugha za watu wengine inaweza kweli kuficha siri zake zote?
3. Hivi nchi isiyotumia lugha yake inaweza kuanzisha lolote jipya katika dunia hii?
4. Watoto wangapi wa Kitanzania wanajua kwa Kiswahili majina ya wanyama, wadudu, mimea, samaki, ndege na vitu vingine vinavyowazunguka?
5. Hivi mtoto wa Kitanzania huwa anaanza kufikiri kwa lugha ipi? Nini matokeo yake ukubwani?
6. Mtoto wa Kitanzania anaanza kujifunza kwa kutumia lugha ipi? Nini matokeo yake ukubwani?
7. Nini maendeleo ya watoto wetu mashuleni ukilinganisha na wale wanaotumia lugha zao asili toka chekechea hadi Chuo Kikuu?
8. Kiuchumi tunapata hasara kiasi gani kwa kutotumia lugha yetu kuchapisha vitabu vya masomo kwa Kiswahili?
9. Toka tupate uhuru sisi Watanzania tumegundua vitu gani kwa kutumia lugha ya Kiingereza?
10. Ni kifaa au chombo gani tunachotengeneza hapa Tanzania takriban miaka 50 baada ya Uhuru?
11. Tafiti juu ya nchi 20 tajiri duniani, je, ni ngapi zinatumia lugha zao wenyewe kufundishia?
12. Tafiti ni nchi zipi 20 masikini zaidi duniani. Je, zinatumia lugha gani katika elimu?

Mswahili Mtanzania