As the most geographically widespread language in Africa, Pulaar is the first language of millions of people in various areas from the westernmost point of the African continent (Senegal) southward to Sierra Leone, and eastward across Mali to Sudan. Pulaar is also used as a very important means of communication (by non-native speakers) in some areas of West Africa, and holds the status of national language in Senegal. Mauritania, Guinea, and Mali. Although the traditional nomadic life has resulted in many varieties of the language (over twenty different dialects), Pulaar is a regional language because all these varieties are mutually intelligible to some degree. Because of the dispersion of the Pulaar people throughout West Africa, Pulaar is a language of survival as well as a key to accessing a wealth of authentic historical, anthropological and religious materials. Pulaar people embraced Islam quite early and, a good deal of great Islamic figures are from the Pulaar ethnic group. The prominent role played by Pulaar people in West African history is reflected through their rich written and oral heritage

The main lingua franca of Senegal and The Gambia, is spoken as a first or second language by the majority of populations in those two countries in most social contexts. A recognized national language in both Senegal and Mauritania, Wolof ’s status as Senegal’s lingua franca stems from its function as a widely used communication tool. Wolof traders have traditionally traveled throughout West Africa, and Wolof is an important trade language. Due to its widespread use as a trade language, it has great socio-economic significance. Wolof also plays a very important role in Senegalese culture. Many famous singers and filmmakers such as Sembene Ousmane produce their songs and films in Wolof. Ousmane Sembene’s literary and cinematographic work places him today as the “father” of African cinema.

Swahili is the national language of Kenya and Tanzania and the medium of instruc¬tion in primary schools in Tanzania where it is studied as a subject at university level. Swahili serves as a regional lingua franca throughout Eastern and Central Africa. spoken by over 100 million people in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Somalia. There are also many native Swahili speakers on the Indian Ocean islands of Unguja and Pemba (which together make up Zanzibar), Lamu, the Comoro Islands and the northwestern part of Madagascar. Arabs and Persians visited the East African coast as early as the second century A.D. These visitors settled in Africa and married local people. Travelers from Portugal, Germany, England and various Asian countries also went to East Africa. Each group left its mark on both the culture and the language.