A bill regarding the policy of language use and language rights was adopted by deputies yesterday. It aims to promote the daily use of the Malagasy language.
Deputy Navalona Francky Rakotoaritiana, elected from the 3rd arrondissement of Antananarivo, describes the bill he initiated as a framework law. He emphasizes that its essence is to “value the Malagasy language and restore its status as a living language used throughout the Republic of Madagascar.” This goes beyond mere speaking; it involves establishing Malagasy as the language of administration and instruction, from primary school through higher education, for all governed by Malagasy law.
Article 20 of the bill stipulates that “proficiency in the Malagasy language is a criterion for obtaining a university degree,” requiring both oral and written examinations. The text also mandates that product labels in the market must be in Malagasy or include a Malagasy translation.
Article 10 grants citizens the right to receive Malagasy translations for various services or documents originally written in foreign languages. Furthermore, Article 24 ensures that Malagasy citizens have the right to a Malagasy translation before signing any employment contract, whether public or private.
Despite unanimous adoption, deputies expressed concerns regarding potential risks. Deputy Rakotoaritiana reassured his peers that this is not a move toward “excessive Malgachization,” recalling the failures of the policy implemented after the 1972 popular protests. Debates touched upon fears of widening the educational gap between urban centers like Antananarivo and rural areas, as well as concerns about global competitiveness for Malagasy youth.
Arguments in favor cited UNESCO findings that using a mother tongue facilitates better learning and mastery of foreign languages, noting that over 80% of Malagasy people speak only the Malagasy language. Issues regarding dialectal diversity and the standardization of “Teny Fenitra” (the official Malagasy language) were also addressed by Professor Jeannot Fils Ranaivoson, who helped draft the law, acknowledging that achieving a standardized official language remains a long-term challenge.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-02 06:13:17 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/assemblee-nationale-les-deputes.html