Burkina Faso Adopts English and French as Working Languages, Elevates National Languages

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In a significant constitutional revision, Burkina Faso’s Transitional National Assembly (ALT) has established English and French as the working languages in the country, while also officially recognizing national languages.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the bill amending the constitution was adopted on Saturday, as confirmed by a document received by the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB). This amendment marks a shift in linguistic policy, with French losing its exclusive status as the official language to make room for national languages.

The introduction of English as a working language in Burkina Faso’s administration signifies a notable change. The document from the Transitional National Assembly highlights the government’s belief that a people’s development is hampered when reliant on a foreign language. This move towards the officialization of national languages is seen as a response to a long-standing aspiration of the Burkinabe people and is expected to result in greater public engagement in civic life.

A working language, as defined in the document, is a language accepted for communication within both public and private administrations. Officialization refers to the decision by a competent authority to utilize a language as a tool of communication in sectors such as education, justice, and public administration, reflecting a strategic political direction.

The document further distinguishes between a national language and a dialect. A national language is defined as a system of articulated signs specific to a community within the national territory, encompassing shared traits of various dialects.

The revised constitution, adopted by parliament this Saturday, not only introduces linguistic reforms but also includes changes in the judiciary, institutional reforms, and the promotion of national languages, marking a significant moment in the nation’s legislative history.