Exploring the significance of toponyms in the university linguistics curriculum: insights from Kibera in Kenya and Sabalibougou in Mali

Abstract Africa’s linguistic diversity and cultural richness make it an ideal setting for incorporating case studies of toponyms (place names) into the university linguistics curriculum. By examining Kibera slum areas in Kenya those people Sabalibougou Southern Mali, this article explores various ways that can be used to enhance understanding African languages cultures. Based on premise communicate knowledge about natural world, peoples’ experiences, indigenous local languages, history, two highlight following factors as reasons why should studied incorporated university’s curricula: (i) They reveal interplay between socio-political manifestations, language; (ii) provide awareness role geography language, language contact, endangerment; (iii) facilitate relationship culture; (iv) allow practising orthography, phonetic transcription, morphosemantics languages. Hence, toponym studies, like provided study, curriculum enable students better comprehend appreciate richness, ultimately contributing decolonisation education Africa.