Is Italian taught in Somalia?
Is Italian Taught in Somalia? A Language Lost and Found
The Italian Legacy in Somalia: Fading or Thriving?
Honestly, if you'd asked me a few years ago whether Italian was still a thing in Somalia, I would have shrugged. I mean, sure, Italy colonized Somalia back in the day, but colonial languages don’t always stick around forever. Then, I had a chat with my friend Ahmed, who grew up in Mogadishu, and he completely surprised me: "Italian? Yeah, my granddad speaks it fluently! But young people? Not so much." That got me curious—how much Italian is actually still taught in Somalia today?
Is Italian Still Officially Taught in Somali Schools?
A Colonial Past That Shaped Education
Somalia was an Italian colony from the late 19th century until 1960, and back then, Italian was everywhere—schools, government offices, even street signs. After independence, though, things started shifting. Arabic and English slowly took over, especially with Somalia’s close ties to the Arab world.
But—here’s the twist—Italian didn’t completely disappear. Some schools, particularly in Mogadishu, continued teaching it, mostly because older generations still saw it as valuable. Up until the late 1980s, Italian was a second language in many Somali high schools, even in university courses.
The Civil War Changed Everything
Then came the civil war in the early ‘90s, and honestly? Education took a massive hit. Schools shut down, and Italian lost its place to survival priorities. When the country slowly started rebuilding its education system, English and Arabic took center stage, with Italian pushed further into the background. (And let’s be real, English is just more useful internationally.)
That said, some private schools and universities still offer Italian classes—especially for law and medical students. Why? Because a lot of old Somali legal and medical textbooks are in Italian, and you kinda need to read them if you want to understand some of the country’s older systems.
Who Still Speaks Italian in Somalia?
The Grandparent Generation and a Few Professionals
Walk around Mogadishu today, and you might hear some elderly folks casually dropping Italian phrases. They grew up in an era where speaking Italian was seen as sophisticated (kind of like how French was in North Africa). My friend Ahmed told me that his grandfather still watches Italian TV channels—"He understands every word, but I don’t get a thing," he admitted, laughing.
But outside of the older generation? It’s rare. Some professionals, especially lawyers and doctors, keep it alive because of old documents and medical terms. But if you ask a random Somali teenager to say something in Italian? You’re probably getting a blank stare.
Are There Still Italian Schools in Somalia?
A Few Surviving Institutions
Surprisingly, a few Italian-language institutions still exist—but they’re nothing like they were before. The most famous one? Scuola Italiana di Mogadiscio. This school, once a thriving center of Italian education, is still functioning, though on a much smaller scale. It mostly serves the Somali-Italian community (yes, that’s a thing!) and some families who want their kids to have access to European education.
Another spot where you’ll find Italian being taught? The Somali National University (SNU). Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, most university courses were actually in Italian. Today, Italian is no longer the main language of instruction, but some courses still incorporate it, especially in law and medicine.
Why Would Anyone Learn Italian in Somalia Today?
The Unexpected Reasons People Still Study It
You might think, why bother learning Italian in Somalia when English and Arabic are way more useful? Fair question. But there are actually a few reasons some Somalis still pick it up:
Job Opportunities with Italy – Italy still has economic ties with Somalia, and knowing Italian can give people an edge in certain industries (like trade and diplomacy).
Legal and Medical Fields – Like I said earlier, a lot of Somalia’s old medical and legal documents are in Italian. If you’re studying law or medicine, it kinda helps.
The Somali-Italian Community – Believe it or not, there are still mixed Somali-Italian families, especially in Mogadishu. Some of them make sure their kids learn at least a bit of the language.
Migration and Studies – Some Somalis move to Italy for work or education, and knowing the language before they go gives them a head start.
Is Italian in Somalia Dying or Just Sleeping?
Honestly, it’s fading fast. It’s not taught in public schools like it used to be, and most young Somalis see English and Arabic as way more useful. But is it completely dead? Nope. It still lingers in universities, legal books, and in the voices of Somalia’s older generation.
Will Italian make a comeback in Somalia? Highly unlikely. But as long as there are a few institutions keeping it alive—and as long as some Somali grandpas are still watching Italian TV—it’s not gone yet.
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