African Multilingualisms: Rural Linguistic and Cultural Diversity

The edited collection African Multilingualisms explores multilingualism in rural African environments and highlights the diversity of local language ideologies, behaviors, and the relationship between language and identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Despite the prevalence of multilingualism in the daily lives of most Sub-Saharan Africans, research on multilingualism in non-urban contexts has been relatively limited. This discrepancy is particularly striking when considering that individual multilingualism was widespread in many parts of Africa long before the colonial period and centuries before the continent experienced significant urbanization. To address this gap, the edited collection African Multilingualisms presents findings from recent and ongoing research conducted in rural African environments as well as those characterized by contact between urban and rural communities of speakers. The contributors, primarily Africans themselves, including several emerging scholars, offer insights that both complement and challenge existing scholarship on African multilingualism. Additionally, new methods and tools are introduced for the study of multilingualism in rural settings, accompanied by illustrative examples of the types of results that these approaches yield.

African Multilingualisms showcases an impressive diversity in the characteristics of local language ideologies, multilingual behaviors, and the relationship between language and identity. The book explores the multifaceted ways in which languages are used and valued in various African contexts, highlighting the complex interplay between language, culture, and social identity. It sheds light on the ways in which multilingualism contributes to social cohesion, cultural diversity, and economic development in Africa, while also addressing the challenges and complexities associated with language management and policy in multilingual societies.

One of the key themes explored in African Multilingualisms is the role of local languages in shaping cultural identity and heritage. The contributors demonstrate how local languages play a vital role in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge, values, and traditions, and how they contribute to the maintenance of cultural diversity in Africa. They also explore the ways in which local languages are used to express and negotiate identity, particularly in contexts where multiple ethnic groups or communities coexist.

Another important aspect of the book is the study of multilingual behaviors and practices. The contributors examine the ways in which individuals use multiple languages in their daily lives, including language switching, code-switching, and multilingualism in education and the workplace. They explore the factors that influence multilingual behavior, such as social context, educational background, and individual language proficiency, and the ways in which multilingualism can impact communication, cognition, and social interaction.

The relationship between language and identity is another central theme of African Multilingualisms. The contributors explore how language shapes and is shaped by individual and collective identities, and how language can contribute to the construction and negotiation of social identities. They examine the ways in which language ideologies, such as language pride, language anxiety, and language revitalization, influence language use and language attitudes, and the ways in which these ideologies are shaped by historical, social, and cultural factors.

In addition to presenting research findings, African Multilingualisms also offers practical insights and recommendations for language management and policy in multilingual societies. The contributors discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with language planning, language promotion, and language preservation, and offer strategies for promoting multilingualism in education, healthcare, and other sectors. They also address the role of government, civil society.

Weight: 503g
Dimension: 220 x 155 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498588973