Machine Translation (MT) is a rapidly expanding field, experiencing significant advancements in recent years with the development of models capable of translating multiple languages with remarkable accuracy. However, the representation of African languages in this field still raises problems due to linguistic complexities and limited resources. This applies to the Zarma language, spoken by over 5 million people across Niger and neighboring countries. In this paper, we introduce Feriji, the first robust French-Zarma parallel corpus and glossary designed for MT. This dataset is a major step in addressing the lack of resources for Zarma, a dialect of the Songhai, part of the Nilo-Saharan language family. We focused on not only bridging a significant language gap but also promoting an indigenous African language.

LughaYangu is a Website/Platform created to help users learn, understand, preserve and create African Languages. As such, LughaYangu gives you an opportunity to upload, post or otherwise access different dialects from different African communities. As a user, you are able to view, comment and react to various dialects posted daily to the Platform. The main objective of LughaYangu is to empower African languages and keep everyone updated.

About Us
"Language is the soul of culture. Culture is the soul of language.Lughayangu was born from the realisation that many African languages, history and cultures risk going extinct due to lack of proper documentation, globalisation and over-dependence on foreign languages.There are also limited online learning platforms dedicated to African languages.

What is Lughayangu?
Lughayangu is an online encyclopedia of African cultures, languages, and history. You can use it to learn new words, explore new languages, and discover Africans' rich history and culture.We are on a mission to document and preserve all native languages, history and culture in Africa and be the go-to place to learn and contribute them.

What does "Lughayangu" mean?
It is coined from two Swahili words."Lugha" meaning language and "Yangu" meaning mine.The word stemmed from the need to encourage fellow Africans to be proud of their languages and to tell their stories.

Who is behind Lughayangu?
Lughayangu was launched in late 2019 by Michael Jaroya. We currently run it together with Stephany Achieng'. We also have a team of moderators, editors and writers who ensure the platform runs smoothly.The dictionary is a community-sourced resource, and any native African speaker can contribute their knowledge and expertise—a dictionary made by you for you.Join us on this journey of preserving and promoting African languages and cultures. Together, we can ensure these cultures continue to flourish and thrive for generations to come.