French is a second language of Congolese children and adults. Actually, it is probably the third language for most Congolese. Congo has a multi-layered language culture. It is really evident (heard) in the rural poor areas.
A rural villager will speak a tribal language. This is the language of their mother and or ancestral tribe. About all of the villagers would speak this language. There are over 250 tribal languages in Congo.
Above the tribal language is a regional or trade language. This is language spoken across multiple villages and through vast regions. There are four trade languages [Lingala, Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba] in Congo.
Finally, the official language of Congo is French. It is language of business. Also, it is the language of the educated. Typically, french is started by the secondary school level (junior high or middle school).
The measure is literacy is a person aged 15 and over who can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo or Tshiluba. Overall, 2 out of 3 people in Congo is literate. However, the literacy rate is much lower in rural areas and for females.
Congo Helping Hands supports the rural poor Congolese and females with educational opportunities. Join them on Facebook: Congo Helping Hands and Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo.
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