The National Assembly has adopted a bill on language policy and language rights aimed at promoting the daily use of Malagasy. Deputy Navalona Francky Rakotoaritiana, elected in Antananarivo's 3rd district, sponsored the proposal adopted yesterday.
Described as a framework law, this legislation on language policy and language rights seeks to "enhance the Malagasy language and restore its right to be a living language used throughout the Republic of Madagascar," according to Deputy Rakotoaritiana. The law goes beyond simply speaking Malagasy—it aims to make it the administrative language and language of instruction from primary through higher education "for those governed by Malagasy law."
Article 20 of the bill states that "mastery of the Malagasy language is part of the criteria for obtaining a university diploma," requiring both oral and written examinations. The text also mandates that product labels sold on the market be in Malagasy or include Malagasy translations.
Article 10 grants Malagasy citizens the right to receive translations in Malagasy of various services or documents written in foreign languages affecting them. Article 24 specifies that "Malagasy citizens have the right to receive a Malagasy translation before signing an employment contract with any employer in Madagascar, whether public or private."
Despite unanimously adopting the bill, deputies expressed reservations about potential risks and consequences. "This is not excessive Malgachization," Deputy Rakotoaritiana assured his colleagues. Most lawmakers who commented recalled the failure of malgachization policies following the 1972 popular uprisings.
Concerns raised included fears that imposing Malagasy as the teaching language could widen educational gaps between students in major cities, particularly Antananarivo, and those in rural areas. Questions were also raised about whether this could disadvantage young Malagasy in global job competition.
During debates, lawmakers cited UNESCO findings that using one's mother tongue enables better learning and facilitates mastery of foreign languages. A statistic was emphasized: "more than 80% of Malagasy speakers know only the Malagasy language."
Other concerns included the status of "official Malagasy language" relative to different dialects spoken across the country, particularly for educational use, and variations in word meanings across cultural groups. Words considered insulting in Antananarivo, for example, are used daily in certain regions.
Professor Jeannot Fils Ranaivoson, a researcher who helped draft the bill