The African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) workshop on "Harmonization of the Writing System of the Betifang, Lingala, Kinkongo Vehicular Cross-border Languages" effectively kicked off today in Congo.

The workshop was declared open by the Honourable Minister of Culture and Arts of the Republic of Congo, Astrid Madiya earlier today.

The workshop is expected to deliberate on ways of harmonizing orthographic practices, developing a standardized form of writing for each of the languages and set a harmonized rule of grammar.

The workshop is part programmes lined up by ACALAN-the linguistic organ of AU to promote African languages as a tool for integration and development of Africa.