Samsung Electronics on Tuesday announced the addition of Amharic and Kiswahili to the list of languages supported on its devices.
This action is part of the company’s larger plan to improve accessibility and digital inclusivity across Africa, especially in East Africa.
Catering to East Africa: Samsung adds Kiswahili and Amharic
Samsung intends to incorporate Kiswahili and Amharic, respectively, to accommodate the linguistic preferences of millions in East Africa. Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, while Kiswahili is extensively spoken in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and portions of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This initiative underscores Samsung’s commitment to recognising and integrating local languages into its technology, making it more accessible and user-friendly for non-English speakers.
Anthony Hutia, Head of the Mobile Experience Division at Samsung Electronics East Africa, noted, “We are dedicated to innovation that empowers communities. Adding Kiswahili and Amharic is a key step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater inclusion”.
The inclusion of these languages benefits over 200 million speakers across the continent. It enhances the user experience by allowing users to navigate their devices, access applications, and utilise features in their preferred languages.
Language shapes user experiences. Therefore, this change enhances usability and respects cultural diversity.
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Implementing language support on Samsung devices
To enable Kiswahili or Amharic on Samsung devices, users can follow these steps:
Open Settings: Tap the ‘Settings’ app on your device.
Navigate to General Management: Scroll down and select ‘General Management’.
Access Language & Region: Tap on ‘Language’.
Add a Language: Select ‘Add language’ and choose Kiswahili or Amharic from the list.
Set as Default: After selection, tap ‘Set as default’ or move it to the top of the list.
For changing the keyboard input language:
Open Settings: Tap ‘Settings’.
Navigate to General Management: Select ‘General Management’.
Access Samsung Keyboard Settings: Tap on ‘Samsung Keyboard Settings’.
Manage Input Languages: Tap ‘Languages and types’, then ‘Manage input languages’.
Download and Enable Language: Choose Kiswahili or Amharic from the list and download if necessary.
Switch Between Languages: Press and hold the spacebar or tap the globe icon to switch between languages while typing.
This update aligns with Samsung’s mission to make technology accessible to everyone, regardless of language, and positions the company as a leader in localised technology.