Question

Most African languages do not have a written form or tradition.
a)True
b)False

Answer 1

Answer: A, True

Step-by-step explanation:

The great majority of African languages have no indigenous forms of writing. Several of them, however, were transcribed in the 20th century by missionary linguists, native speakers, and others. Many African languages have for centuries been written in Arabic script.

Answer 2

It is false that most African languages do not have a written form or tradition. Africa has a diverse linguistic landscape with many languages having their own writing systems, such as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and various indigenous scripts in West Africa.

Step-by-step explanation:

The notion that most African languages do not have a written form or tradition is false. Indeed, Africa currently is a continent with a rich diversity of languages, many of which have their own writing systems.

The origin of writing can be traced back to various ancient societies globally, including regions in Africa. For instance, the system of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics is one of the earliest writing systems known, dating back to the fourth millennium BCE. There are also example of indigenous scripts that emerged in West Africa, such as the scripts for Manding, Wolof, and Fula languages, which bear witness to a written tradition that precedes colonial times. Furthermore, works by historical travelers like Ibn Battuta provide invaluable written accounts of the cultures of East Africa.

Colonialism and the subsequent loss of cultural knowledge have had a profound effect on how African history is recorded and perceived, often leading to a misconception that written traditions were absent. Nonetheless, research, as well as the existence of historical texts, refutes this misconception and showcases the continent's rich literary heritage.