Languages in Africa: Multilingualism, Language Policy, and Education

Elizabeth C. Zsiga (Ed.)

ISBN 10: 1626161526 / ISBN 13: 9781626161528

Edité par Georgetown University Press, 2015

Explore the layers of African multilingualism as they affect language policy and education. This book includes case studies ranging across the continent, the contributors consider multilingualism in the classroom as well as in domains ranging from music and film to politics. It also reveals how poor teacher training leads to failures in education. Editor(s): Zsiga, Elizabeth C.; Boyer, One Tlale; Kramer, Ruth. Series: Georgetown University Round Table on Languages & Linguistics Series. Num Pages: 160 pages, 47 b&w photos, 15 figures, 10 tables. BIC Classification: 1H; 2AB; 2ADF; 2H; CFB; CFDM. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 229 x 152 x 13. Weight in Grams: 227. . 2015. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. N° de réf. du vendeur V9781626161528

Synopsis :

People in many African communities live within a series of concentric circles when it comes to language. In a small group, a speaker uses an often unwritten and endangered mother tongue that is rarely used in school. A national indigenous language-written, widespread, sometimes used in school--surrounds it. An international language like French or English, a vestige of colonialism, carries prestige, is used in higher education, and promises mobility--and yet it will not be well known by its users.

The essays in Languages in Africa explore the layers of African multilingualism as they affect language policy and education. Through case studies ranging across the continent, the contributors consider multilingualism in the classroom as well as in domains ranging from music and film to politics and figurative language. The contributors report on the widespread devaluing and even death of indigenous languages. They also investigate how poor teacher training leads to language-related failures in education. At the same time, they demonstrate that education in a mother tongue can work, linguists can use their expertise to provoke changes in language policies, and linguistic creativity thrives in these multilingual communities.

À propos de l?auteur:

Elizabeth C. Zsiga is a professor in the linguistics department at Georgetown University.

One Tlale Boyer is a postdoctoral research associate in the linguistics department at Georgetown University.

Ruth Kramer is an assistant professor in the linguistics department at Georgetown University.

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : Languages in Africa: Multilingualism, ...
Éditeur : Georgetown University Press
Date d'édition : 2015
Reliure : Couverture souple
Etat : New