A Welcome Note from the Centre Coordinator
Welcome to the Centre for African Languages and Cultural Heritage (CALCH) at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), University of Dar es Salaam.
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to a Centre dedicated to the study, preservation, promotion, and advancement of African languages and the rich cultural heritage. African languages transcend mere communication; they serve as invaluable repositories of our histories, identities, indigenous knowledge, values, traditions, and ways of understanding the world.
At CALCH, we firmly believe that the safeguarding of African languages must be intrinsically linked to fostering opportunities for their sustained use and development across education, research, technology, governance, creative industries, and other facets of contemporary life. Our task is thus to integrate linguistic research, cultural heritage studies, education, translation and interpretation, digital innovation, and meaningful engagement with language communities.
The Centre leverages the strong academic and research foundations of the Department of Languages and Literature at DUCE. It aims to establish a dynamic platform for researchers, students, language professionals, communities, cultural practitioners, and partners from Tanzania, Africa, and globally. Through collaborative research, language documentation, capacity building, publications, digital resources, and community-based initiatives, we endeavour to contribute to the sustainable development of African languages and cultural heritage.
e particularly encourage collaboration with institutions, researchers, communities, government agencies, cultural organisations, language practitioners, technology partners, and other stakeholders who share our dedication to ensuring African languages remain vibrant, relevant, and accessible for current and future generations.
AWhile positioning Kiswahili as a trans-border language of unity, thereby promoting the diversity of other African languages, CALCH aspires to cultivate a stronger sense of African identity and contribute to the continent's educational, cultural, intellectual, and technological advancement.
Welcome to CALCH—where African languages, knowledge, and heritage meet research, innovation, and community.
Dr Saul S. Bichwa
Centre Coordinator
Centre for African Languages and Cultural Heritage (CALCH)
Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE)