A Needs Assessment for Indigenous African Language-Based Programming Languages

Abstract

The development of an African native language-based programming language, using Yoruba as a case study, is envisioned. Programming languages based on the lexicons of indigenous African languages are rare to come by unlike those based on Asian and / or European languages. Availability of programming languages based on lexicons of African indigenous language would facilitate comprehension of problem-solving processes using computer by indigenous learners and teachers as confirmed by research results. In order to further assess the relevance, usefulness and needfulness of such a programming language, a preliminary needs assessment survey was carried out. The needs assessment was carried out through design of a structured questionnaire which was administered to 130 stakeholders in computer profession and computer education; including some staffers and learners of some primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions in Oyo and Osun states of Nigeria, Africa. The responses to the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analysis of the responses to the questionnaire shows that 89% of the respondents to the questionnaire expressed excitement and willingness to program or learn programming in their mother tongue-based programming language, if such a programming language is developed. This result shows the high degree of relevance, usefulness and needfulness of a native language-based programming language as well as the worthwhileness of embarking on development of such a programming language.

An Evaluation of a Language Processor for an African Native Language-based Programming Language

“…According to Olatunji et al (2018), the development of PLs based on the lexicons of African indigenous languages will improve computer-based problemsolving processes by indigenous teachers and learners. This has also been shown by other research studies (Silva et al, 2020;Olatunji et al, 2019b;UNESCO 2007;Pflepsen 2011).…”

Design and implementation of an African native language-based programming language

“…Development of a programming language based on the lexicons of an African language, like Yoruba, is very much desirable and relevant, especially in Nigeria. This is attested to by the outcome of the needs survey carried out in which eighty-nine (89%) percent of respondents to the questionnaire used for needs assessment indicated their willingness to program or learn programming in their mother tongue, if one exists [14]. The successful development of the Yoruba-based programming language shows that lexical items of programming languages need not be borrowed exclusively from European and Asian languages, but can also be borrowed from most African indigenous languages.…”

“…In addition, development and adoption of NLPL will increase the functional load of their base languages; this will consequently reduce the chances of such languages going into extinction as predicted and feared in many circles [11]- [13]. Interestingly, in a related work, in a bid to ascertain the relevance and needfulness of NLPL, Olatunji et al [14] carried out a needs assessment survey for a NLPL through design and administration of structured questionnaire. It was reported that eighty-nine percent (89%) of the respondents to the questionnaire expressed eagerness and willingness to program or learn programming in a NLPL, if one exists.…”

Computerized E-learning platform for teaching Python programming using Hausa language

“…As such, many educators have been promoting the use of local languages to preserve traditional culture and facilitate learning at school. In an attempt to provide a means of leaning programming using a native language, a research in [16], shows the high degree of relevance, usefulness and needfulness of a native language-based programming language as well as the worthwhileness of embarking on development of such a programming language. While this research move further to use one of the native language (Hausa) to prove it.…”