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Morgan J. Robinson

A Language for the World: The Standardization of Swahili

A Language for the World: The Standardization of Swahili

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  • More about A Language for the World: The Standardization of Swahili

The book explores the long-term processes of standard-making and community creation in the historical, political, and cultural contexts of East Africa and beyond, arguing that the portability of Standard Swahili has contributed to its wide use. It focuses on the intellectual history of Swahilis standardization from 1864 to 1964, including the narratives of colonial officials, anticolonial nationalists, East African clerks, students, newspaper editors, editorialists, and library patrons. The book reconstructs these stories on their own terms and reintegrates them into a new composite that demonstrates the central place of language in the history of East Africa and beyond.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Ohio University Press


This comprehensive intellectual history delves into the intricate and enduring processes of standardization and community formation within the historical, political, and cultural contexts of East Africa and beyond. Morgan J. Robinson posits that the portability of Standard Swahili has played a significant role in its widespread adoption not only across the African continent but also globally. The book revolves around the central question of whether standardized versions of African languages have empowered or oppressed communities. It is undeniable that the selection and promotion of one version of a language as the standard, often associated with missionaries and colonial regimes, has had negative consequences for those whose language was suddenly deemed nonstandard. However, Robinson argues that before reconciling these consequences, it is essential to understand the process itself. The history of Standard Swahili showcases how events, individuals, and ideas can swiftly and unexpectedly transcend linguistic, political, social, or temporal categories. Robinson conducted her research in Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania, and the United Kingdom. Organized chronologically around periods of conversation, translation, and codification from 1864 to 1964, the book delves into the intellectual history of Swahili standardization. The narrative begins in the mid-nineteenth century in Zanzibar, a hub for missionaries, formerly enslaved students, and a printing press, and concludes on the mainland in the mid-twentieth century, as nationalist movements embraced Standard Swahili as a tool in their anticolonial and nation-building endeavors. It is important to note that this outcome was not predetermined, and Robinson provides a fresh perspective on the enduring emotions that the language continues to evoke in East Africa. The history of Standard Swahili is not a singular narrative but rather a interconnected series of stories that shed light on the complex and evolving dynamics of language development and cultural identity.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 227 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780821424957

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