Book contents
- A History of African Linguistics
- A History of African Linguistics
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Abbreviations and Acronyms
- 1 The History of African Linguistics
- 2 Western Europe: African Linguistics and the Colonial Project
- 3 African Linguistics in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the Nordic Countries
- 4 African Linguistics in North Africa
- 5 The Study of African Languages and Linguistics in North-Eastern Africa
- 6 African Linguistics in Southern Africa
- 7 African Linguistics in Eastern Africa
- 8 African Linguistics in Official English-Speaking West Africa
- 9 African Linguistics in Official French-Speaking West and Central Africa
- 10 African Linguistics in Official Portuguese- and Spanish-Speaking Africa
- 11 African Linguistics in the Americas
- 12 African Linguistics in Asia and Australia
- References
- Index – African Languages
- Index – Countries
- Index – Keywords
- Index – Persons
1 - The History of African Linguistics
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2019
- A History of African Linguistics
- A History of African Linguistics
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Abbreviations and Acronyms
- 1 The History of African Linguistics
- 2 Western Europe: African Linguistics and the Colonial Project
- 3 African Linguistics in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the Nordic Countries
- 4 African Linguistics in North Africa
- 5 The Study of African Languages and Linguistics in North-Eastern Africa
- 6 African Linguistics in Southern Africa
- 7 African Linguistics in Eastern Africa
- 8 African Linguistics in Official English-Speaking West Africa
- 9 African Linguistics in Official French-Speaking West and Central Africa
- 10 African Linguistics in Official Portuguese- and Spanish-Speaking Africa
- 11 African Linguistics in the Americas
- 12 African Linguistics in Asia and Australia
- References
- Index – African Languages
- Index – Countries
- Index – Keywords
- Index – Persons
Summary
African linguistics is defined by a triple research focus: (1) African languages, (2) language in Africa, and (3) the applied dimension of linguistics in Africa. Four answers are given to the question Why to deal with the history of African linguistics? The origin of African linguistics lies in organizing language learning for practical purposes to the benefit of expatriates. The colonial legacy accounts for the disempowerment of indigenous languages and hegemonic dominance of foreign languages. The postcolonial challenge targets the intellectualization and re-empowerment of indigenous languages and faces the uphill battle for adequate multilingual policies and their implementation. The chapter discusses the relevance of African languages for development and traces its change from ‘extractive’ to ‘inclusive’ approaches and policies.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- A History of African Linguistics , pp. 1 - 20Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019