Making conversation

Ohio University will host the largest African language institute in the country this summer, complete with lessons on culture and traditions.

By Jennifer Cochran

This summer, the voices of Africa will surround Ohio University.

Students from across the country will join Ohio University students in Athens to study African languages as part of the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI). This is the second year the University will host SCALI -- the largest African language institute in the country -- through a consortium of African Studies Programs.

Participants will engage in the study of one of up to 17 languages at SCALI from June 21 through Aug. 6. This intensive seven-week institute will provide the equivalent of one year of African language instruction with exposure to the culture and traditions associated with the chosen language.

Sheba Kane, a graduate student in English and Africana studies at California State University at Dominquez Hills, appreciated the opportunity to study Wolof at the language institute last summer and plans to return this summer for advanced study.

"Since returning from the SCALI program, I have spent time in the Senegalese community and was really excited that I could understand much of what was being said in Wolof. It was amazing!" Kane says.

The program is more than an educational experience, however; Kane says one of SCALI's most lasting effects on her will be the lifelong friendships she made in Athens.

"Above networking opportunities and future academic contacts, I made some of the best friends ever. We spent time with other OU students, had barbecues and even attended a thesis defense of an OU student before leaving. Some of them came to support us at the banquet," she says. "We bonded in that little space of Athens, Ohio, and my life is forever changed."

This year's SCALI organizers expect about 100 students to attend from Ohio University, other schools in Ohio, sponsoring institutions and historically black colleges and universities.

"It's great to have a community of Africanists descend on Athens for the summer. It makes OU a really exciting place to study Africa," says Catherine Cutcher, SCALI coordinator.

W. Stephen Howard, professor of telecommunications and director of the Institute for the African Child, will direct SCALI. Expert instructors and indigenous speakers of African languages will teach the classes.

"SCALI is a very important event," Howard says. "It signals the largest gathering of Africanist researchers-in-training and the largest group of African professionals -- working in their professions -- in one place in the United States at one time.

"We are proud of this intense effort to find a place for Africa in American higher education and know that the students benefit from the Africa atmosphere here in Athens," Howard adds. "This year we are particularly excited about the focus on northeast Africa with offerings in Somali, Sudanese Arabic, Amharic and Tigrinya."

Tiffany Carrell, a senior majoring in international studies at Ohio University, studied Swahili at SCALI last summer.

"Not only did I gain better writing and oral skills in Swahili, but I also gained confidence in my ability to express myself in a foreign language," Carrell says. "My Tanzanian professor also offered a wealth of cultural knowledge that made learning exciting and unique."

Peter Otiato, a doctoral student in education at Ohio University, taught beginning Swahili at SCALI last year, and he points out that SCALI provides a learning experience not only for the students but also for the instructors.

"It shows you that we form one tapestry," he says. "We are all human beings and we need to form relations. Your interest in learning a language is a first step."

Jennifer Cochran, MA '00, is assistant director of communications and graduate programming for Ohio University's Center for International Studies.