Code-Switching: The Reality of Tanzanians Living Abroad

A recent viral clip sparked widespread discussion when Ugandan Member of Parliament for Bukonzo West, Mr Atkins Katusabe, addressed parliament with a distinctly American accent after returning from the West. His fellow parliamentarians struggled to understand him, with one raising concerns to the speaker. While the internet erupted with commentary, this phenomenon known as code-switching has long been part of life for the African diaspora, particularly Tanzanians living abroad.

Code-switching, defined as changing dialects, accents, and speaking patterns based on situation and audience, has become a crucial survival skill for Tanzanians in the diaspora.

The Journey Begins at Departure

At Julius Nyerere International Airport, as Tanzanians stamp their passports and head to departure gates, they hear their last Kiswahili sentences before embarking on life abroad. For many heading to Western countries, standing at foreign immigration points marks the moment they realize how far they’ve traveled from home.

As natural human instinct dictates, adaptation becomes essential. From navigating train routes to ordering meals at drive-throughs, Tanzanians work to accustom themselves to Western life. Some completely change their accents to master American or British English, a practice that generates heavy debate, amusement, and mixed reactions depending on perspective.

Survival Through Adaptation

For those unfamiliar with living abroad, the extent to which Tanzanians must adapt their way of life simply to get by remains largely unknown. One Tanzanian residing in New York recalled an encounter where using a local accent became necessary for personal safety.

"I was walking in New York one winter morning, and a group of African American guys walked up to me asking where I was from. I had to use my best New York accent to tell them I’m from here," the individual explained.

In certain neighborhoods, accents can determine safety. The question "Where are you from?" isn’t always polite—it can signal territorial concerns or gang affiliations, making the person a potential threat.

Tanzanian youth across the United States have learned that standing out isn’t ideal, so many attempt to sound and look American as a form of camouflage that allows them to go about their lives peacefully. Natives quickly identify non-locals, with language and accent being the easiest giveaways.

Global Context of Immigration Challenges

While Tanzania remains a safe, accommodating country, this isn’t true worldwide. Saudi Arabia has recently intensified efforts to deport thousands residing without legal status, affecting migrant workers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Similarly, strict immigration enforcement in the United States has resulted in thousands of deportations. Recent incidents, including confrontations over speaking foreign languages, explain why many immigrants feel more comfortable assimilating and code-switching for peace of mind.

Immigration enforcement agencies have gained notoriety for making arrests based on foreign language use or appearance differences. Some Tanzanians in the United States choose to stay indoors to avoid confrontation, while those who cannot afford to do so have mastered code-switching so well that fellow Tanzanians speaking in American accents may never reveal their shared Dar es Salaam origins.

The Double-Edged Sword

Tanzanian diaspora members face mockery abroad for being African and mockery at home for sounding foreign. This defines life between the motherland and adopted home.

During festival seasons, when Tanzanians return home to family and friends, they encounter a new challenge: "Speak like us, or we will shun you." Many report experiencing hiked prices after shopkeepers hear their American accents, with some relatives perceiving the new accent as showing superiority.

A True Dilemma

One Tanzanian recalled taking his children to a gathering where attendees pressured them to speak Kiswahili with a Tanzanian accent, despite the children barely speaking the language. After more than three decades in the US, he has understandably lost his Tanzanian accent. His American-born children represent a generation caught between cultures, yet he must still be cautious about how he speaks around Americans and Tanzanians alike, observing and switching his accent accordingly.

The Workplace Reality

For Tanzanians working in customer-facing roles, communication is vital. One bakery worker in downtown New York has perfected his American accent to serve everyday buyers effectively and earn tips. But when he returns to his apartment, he video calls home, speaking all the Kiswahili he couldn’t use during his work shift.

This ability to switch between languages and accents represents what immigrants have mastered to navigate foreign countries while preserving their identity. Though their accents may raise eyebrows back in Tanzania, with accusations of sounding different, the genuine reasons behind this adaptation are rarely discussed or understood.

The phenomenon of code-switching among Tanzanians abroad reflects a complex reality of cultural navigation, survival, and identity preservation in an increasingly globalized world.