African Languages

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Language, Identity, and Development in Africa 

LING 28345 / LING 38345; Fall, Tu/Th, 2:00-3:20pm 

Fidèle Mpiranya (fmpiranya@uchicago.edu) 

With more than a quarter of the languages of humanity, the linguistic diversity of Africa represents a richness in terms of world heritage and linguistic description, but also a challenge for trans-community communication and for the integration of small minorities in larger national communities. Additionally, the persistent use of former colonial languages in most official functions may constitute an impediment, with regard to productive communication between educated elites and ordinary community members and the involvement of the latter in national development. The present course addresses these different issues in a descriptive perspective and through open discussions about potential resolutions in terms of language valorization and language planning. 

At the end of the course, the students will be able to classify African languages of wider communication in their respective families and identify key features of the latter; identify and discuss potential issues and or advantages relating to the use of those languages in connection with endogenous development of African communities.  

This is a general introductory course with no specific prerequisites.