the language of mali under french rule was french, but now not many people outside towns can read or write this language. however, about 60% of the people use other languages well. many people can read and write in bamanakan (the most popular spoken language). this language has its own alphabet, called n'ko. other people can read and write in arabic, after going to an islamic school. one of the oldest universities in the world is sankore university in timbuktu. it began in the 1400s.