Explore the languages spoken in Africa and Youpret’s African language selection!

Explore the languages spoken in Africa and Youpret’s African language selection!

Languages spoken in Africa have speakers all around the world. In Finland, interpreters for African languages are needed daily for tasks ranging from medical appointments to banking services. Over 2 000 different languages are spoken across 54 countries in Africa. This number accounts for nearly a quarter of all the world’s languages. This incredibly rich linguistic diversity is important to remember, especially when ordering interpretation services. In this blog post, we will discuss the languages spoken in Africa and which African languages are included in Youpret’s language selection.


African languages

The languages spoken in Africa are mainly divided into four different language families: Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan and Khoisan languages.

Niger-Congo languages

  • Native speakers: approximately 700 million
  • Covers over 1 500 different languages
  • The largest language by number of speakers is Swahili

Afroasiatic languages

  • Native speakers: over 500 million
  • Cover around 380 different languages
  • The largest language by number of speakers is Arabic and its dialects

Nilo-Saharan languages

  • Native speakers: over 50 million
  • Covers over 200 different languages
  • The largest language by number of speakers is Luo

Khoisan languages

  • Native speakers: estimated over 300 000
  • Covers 13 different languages, each with at least 1 000 speakers
  • The largest language by number of speakers is Nama

In addition to these four language families, many Indo-European languages are spoken in Africa, such as English, Portuguese and French. Youpret’s language selection includes many languages spoken in Africa.


African languages in Youpret’s language selection

Our language selection includes several languages spoken in Africa. Arabic and its various dialects are the most ordered. Below are three other frequently ordered African languages:

Somali

  • ~5% of all interpreted languages at Youpret

Tigrinya

  • ~1% of all interpreted languages at Youpret

Swahili

  • ~1% of all interpreted languages at Youpret

Other African languages available in Youpret’s language selection:

  • Amharic
  • Arabic (Egypt)
  • Arabic (North Africa)
  • Arabic (Sudan)
  • Bemba
  • Berber
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Fulani
  • Igbo
  • Yoruba
  • Kiga
  • Kikongo/Kituba
  • Kinyarwanda
  • Kinyamulenge
  • Kisii

Below, you can see the most ordered African languages from Youpret’s language selection and the African countries where they are spoken. You can download the map by clicking the image.

map of Africa

At Youpret, we strive to create a more equal world, where language is not a barrier to understanding one another. Everyone has the right to be understood, regardless of their native language, time or place. Youpret’s language selection includes over 100 different languages for which we offer interpretation services! We are also constantly looking for new interpreters to expand our language selection. You can easily and effortlessly order an interpreter from us for remote (instant or by appointment) or in-person services. Make your interpreter booking now!

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Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/

https://www.ethnologue.com/