Creole Language, Democracy, and the Illegible State in Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde's language and politics nexus is examined through the case study of diglossia, where Portuguese dominates at the expense of the mother tongue, Kriolu. The postcolonial diglossic language policy is influenced by domestic and international factors, leading to the development of the illegible state, which impedes political participation and the quality of democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 24 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Cabo Verde, a small Creole island state, is the focus of a study by Creole Language, Democracy, and the Illegible State that examines the relationship between language and politics. The country is currently experiencing diglossia, where Portuguese is the dominant language, while the mother tongue, Kriolu, is marginalized. This situation is influenced by both domestic and international factors, and Abel Djassi Amado explores the country's language policy history since colonial times. He highlights how Portugal's language spread policy has contributed to the secondary status of Kriolu, leading to the development of the illegible state. The illegible state has significant consequences on political participation and the overall quality of democracy, as a large segment of the population cannot comprehend the processes and procedures of power. The study highlights the need for language policies that promote multilingualism and ensure that all citizens have access to information and participate in the political process. It also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the historical and social factors that have contributed to the current sociolinguistic situation.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666922677