How Izesan! Uses Technology to Proliferate African Languages

Technology has long been thought to be on the backfoot in the African continent. However, this is changing, and there are rapid developments occurring in the continent. Not only has this technology brought experiences to African people, but it has also worked the other way around. 

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of developers in Africa rose by 3.8%, and countries like Kenya are making it obligatory to teach programming at school. There is no doubt that the continent recognizes the importance of technology not only in the world, but also for their own development. Despite numerous challenges, the importance of technology is being highlighted, and its permeation is being actively encouraged.  

A prime example of this is the new language learning app, Izesan!, which is the only one of its kind to offer access to various African languages – many of whom have been largely ignored globally. This app not only brings African languages and cultures to the homes of countless people abroad, but also highlights how technology is being used in the advancement and preservation of African cultures. 

How Izesan! takes learners on a journey through African cultures 

Rather than merely providing language notes and tests to students, Izesan! has made it their mission to engage with students in a more vital way through cultural exploration and immersion. Not only do students have access to interactive lessons, exercises, and tests, they also have the option of listening to African folklore and traditional stories. 

These stories are central to the oral traditions of so many African cultures, and allow users to engage with different cultures through the lens of their most important stories. More than that, users can have short, illustrated lessons or listen to lyric music videos, alongside engagement with online tutors who are able to guide them through learning an African language in the most natural way possible. 

Learning a language takes patience, guidance, and real enjoyment. The app has this in abundance. 

The inspiration behind Izesan!

Anthony Otaigbe, a Certified Public Accountant in Washington, DC, realized that there was a deep need for African languages and cultures to be made accessible to people from all around the world. 

As the founder notes, “so many beautiful African languages exist, and yet, most Western people will never hear them. I want to remedy that by bringing those languages to life through the Izesan! app.”

Users can learn Igbo, Swahili, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulfulde, Twi, and numerous other African languages with the help of dedicated tutors who can help them master the tone, pronunciation, and accent of the language they’re learning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vKReIwgY6Y

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Learning doesn’t stop with the Izesan! app

Tapping into Africa’s love of gaming, Izesanland! has been developed – a multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) which takes players through five quest stages, and 252 quests in order to master the game. 

The game allows players to explore diverse ethnicities who all speak different languages as they traverse a land filled with religious, racial, and sectarian conflicts which they must navigate effectively in order to proceed to the next stage of the game. 

The pronunciation, accent, and tone that is so essential to mastering a language becomes very real to the players, and no doubt makes mimicking them all the easier. 

Another important avenue of learning is Uwa by Izesan! where users have the opportunity to discuss current affairs and topics in a truly African space – for Africans abroad, and still within the continent. However, it’s not limited to Africans themselves, but those who are learning can also translate audio so that they may learn in the most engaging way possible. 

Final take

Despite the fact that many of the languages offered on the app may not be recognizable to many Westerners, Izesan! is attempting to remedy that. As a cultural rebirth is taking place, Izesan! Is attempting to ensure that it is a long-lasting one, and that African languages are able to forge a space for themselves in the global environment. 

Have a look at their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see what else you can expect, and to find out how you can learn some of the most distinctive languages in the world.