Yaiku
The Yiaku communities are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to preserve their endangered indigenous dialect. The Cushitic community in Mukogodo Forest, Laikipia County, has developed an app to assist their upcoming generation in learning the Yiakunte language.
“The Yaiku language has been preserved digitally and AI-enabled for learning and audio-based responses to questions in English, Swahili, or Yaiku,” said Jeniffer Koinante, Director Yaiku Laikipia Trust.
Yiaku Laikipiak Trust is a community-based organization dedicated to promoting the revival of the language. Thus, the app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for anyone interested in learning the Yaikunte language. Koinante emphasizes their commitment to preserving their forefathers’ language for future generations, despite ongoing Maa community assimilation.
‘We have significantly documented the Yaiku dialect, preserving its meaning, and have created books and dictionaries with simple language for self-teaching,” she revealed, developing various learning methods, including the use of pictorial and charts. Ex-Senior Chief, Doldol Location Raipeti Ole Sekenoi claimed that intermarriages between Maasai and Samburu communities had led to their language to decline since only few people are left speaking it fluently.
For example, Mary Leitiko Yiakunte language Teacher highlighted that reviving their language would enable them to be recognized as a community. “Reviving Yaikunte language is a very important thing because we are not recognized and with it, will be known that a certain place is inhibited by Yaiku people,” she said.
Moreover, in 2010 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Yiakunte language was on the verge of extinction. By then, only nine people could speak the language fluently. The situation has been on a downward path with only two elders aged 90 and 104 years who can speak the dangerously endangered language fluently.
Through their continued effort, the Yaiku community have started a cultural centre inside Mukogodo Forest that will serve as a library as well as a classroom, where adults and children can learn the language through the App.