Suchergebnisse

The lack of equivalence between African languages on the one hand and Afrikaans and English on the other hand under the governments that ruled South Africa until the collapse of apartheid has seriously undermined the status of African languages. Indigenous South Africans experienced decades of marginalisation – so much, in fact, that many, including African scholars, have come to view the study and use of African languages in education in an unfavourable light. Even more astounding is the view that Africans who study African languages beyond secondary school are regarded as "academically weak". The perception that scholars studying African languages do not meet the requirements has resulted in fewer Africans studying their indigenous languages in school. This article aims to explore students' attitudes towards Sesotho and probe the factors linked to students' attitudes. The study employs a mix-methods research approach for data elicitation. Methodological triangulation (questionnaire and interviews) was used to maximise the validity and credibility of the findings. The conclusion of this study is that most of the students have a positive attitude towards Sesotho at the University of the Free State. Students feel that Sesotho should be developed meaningfully so that it can be used as a medium of instruction in classes. Students overwhelmingly support the notion of meaningful development of indigenous languages (such as Sesotho) so that they can contribute to the development of South Africa. The data in this study also suggest that indigenous languages should not be allowed to die out.

Indigenous languages are indispensable cultural legacies without which all forms of human interactions can be carried out. National development is the development of individuals in a nation. Individuals can develop educationally, socially, politically, economically, and culturally through interaction with government agencies that disseminate policies through various indigenous languages. Development indices such as internal cohesion, integration, unity, economic wellbeing and citizens' participation in governance are promoted through indigenous languages. Based on these assertions, the author studied the current linguistic situations in Nigeria and found that native languages play fundamental role on issues such as democracy, technology, metalanguage and linguistic globalization .There are however some challenges in the optimum utilization of these mother tongues. The major problems being orthographic inadequacy,the multiplicity of minority languages, linguistic desertification and deforestation and language endangerment.The author then suggests a way forward.

"The Politics of Language Education in Africa" published on by Oxford University Press.

This article it is argued that promoting exoglossic languages in Africa to the detriment of indigenous languages would be a great disservice to Africa and its peoples, especially from a cognitive and educational perspective, but also from the point of view of promoting African unity, identity and economic empowerment. It is also pointed out that the above will only be possible if civil society so intends. This again depends on the extent to which civil society is empowered by governments, the media and so on to make decisions concerning language issues in an informed manner. South Africa's present language policy is discussed here in relation to the above, as well as in relation to language planning in Africa as a whole. In July 1987 the OAU council of ministers' forty-sixth ordinary session was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here a language plan of action for Africa was adopted. As yet this language plan has not received wide publicity and politicians have been reluctant to comment on its relevance for Africa. This article explores this plan in relation to South Africa's language policy and that of other African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Namibia.

International audience ; Although a linguistically highly diverse country with more than 280 languages spoken within its bounda ries, Cameroon favours and operates an official bilingual policy in exoglossic, formerly colonial languages, i.e. English and French as enshrined in its 1996 constitution. The two official languages are used to trans mit crucial health information to Cameroonians at all times, including during major disease outbreaks such as cholera and measles. This jractice deprives those Cameroonians who are not literate in any of the offi cial languages of access to relevant first hand health information. Moreover, psycholinguistic research suggests that even bilinguals may receive messages in their native language more positively than mes sages in a language they have learnt later in life. The advent of COVID 19 has further revealed the unpre paredness of the Cameroonian Government to provide information to all its citizens in the languages they understand best since a majority of the languages are neither developed for use nor empowered by the language policy of the country. Providing a comprehensive overview of both governmental and non gov ernmental initiatives aimed at disseminating public health information in Cameroon during the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic, this chapter highlights and insists on the necessity to develop and use national languages in official communication particularly when transmitting health related information. If this is done, it will become possible to easily reach out to all Cameroonians with vital health information at all times, including during disease outbreaks

International audience ; Although a linguistically highly diverse country with more than 280 languages spoken within its bounda ries, Cameroon favours and operates an official bilingual policy in exoglossic, formerly colonial languages, i.e. English and French as enshrined in its 1996 constitution. The two official languages are used to trans mit crucial health information to Cameroonians at all times, including during major disease outbreaks such as cholera and measles. This jractice deprives those Cameroonians who are not literate in any of the offi cial languages of access to relevant first hand health information. Moreover, psycholinguistic research suggests that even bilinguals may receive messages in their native language more positively than mes sages in a language they have learnt later in life. The advent of COVID 19 has further revealed the unpre paredness of the Cameroonian Government to provide information to all its citizens in the languages they understand best since a majority of the languages are neither developed for use nor empowered by the language policy of the country. Providing a comprehensive overview of both governmental and non gov ernmental initiatives aimed at disseminating public health information in Cameroon during the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic, this chapter highlights and insists on the necessity to develop and use national languages in official communication particularly when transmitting health related information. If this is done, it will become possible to easily reach out to all Cameroonians with vital health information at all times, including during disease outbreaks

International audience ; Although a linguistically highly diverse country with more than 280 languages spoken within its bounda ries, Cameroon favours and operates an official bilingual policy in exoglossic, formerly colonial languages, i.e. English and French as enshrined in its 1996 constitution. The two official languages are used to trans mit crucial health information to Cameroonians at all times, including during major disease outbreaks such as cholera and measles. This jractice deprives those Cameroonians who are not literate in any of the offi cial languages of access to relevant first hand health information. Moreover, psycholinguistic research suggests that even bilinguals may receive messages in their native language more positively than mes sages in a language they have learnt later in life. The advent of COVID 19 has further revealed the unpre paredness of the Cameroonian Government to provide information to all its citizens in the languages they understand best since a majority of the languages are neither developed for use nor empowered by the language policy of the country. Providing a comprehensive overview of both governmental and non gov ernmental initiatives aimed at disseminating public health information in Cameroon during the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic, this chapter highlights and insists on the necessity to develop and use national languages in official communication particularly when transmitting health related information. If this is done, it will become possible to easily reach out to all Cameroonians with vital health information at all times, including during disease outbreaks

Introduction. The relevance of the study is explained by the necessity to preserve Frenchspeaking culture and language on the territory of Canada in the conditions of globalization, the spread of American mass culture and the significant impact of English as a global language. The purpose of the work is to describe and analyze the sociolinguistic particularities of the existence of the French language in the English-speaking competitive environment in Canada.Methodology and sources. During the study, the following sociolinguistic methods were used: descriptive method, comparison method, continuous sampling method, sociolinguistic analysis method, quantitative data processing method, questionnaire survey. The research is based on the material of Сanadian media, legislative acts regulating the state's language policy, data obtained through surveys of Canadian citizens, and 5,234 inscriptions in five Canadian cities which were selected to examine the country's linguistic landscape.Results and discussion. Under Canadian laws, French and English have equal status in parliamentary readings, in public services and in everyday life, as well as in education, radio and television. However, English is the dominant language and has great prestige throughout Canada. All of the evidence collected shows the decisive superiority of English as the primary means of communication in media, advertising and politics. Existing legislation to protect and promote the use of both official languages is not fully enforced, as evidenced by numerous complaints from Canadians to the Commissioner of Official Languages.Conclusion. In Canada, a multi-component exoglossic linguistic situation has developed with two official languages – English and French, which is characterized by the existence of natural bilingualism. Linguistic minorities, such as Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones outside Quebec, may experience linguistic discrimination, creating tensions between residents of the same country. French is significantly influenced by the majority English and immigrant languages that dominate the linguistic landscape of Canadian cities.

The article considers specific features of the language situation and language policy in New Zealand. The author takes into consideration the social status of English and Maori, draws reader's attention to the state policy of the Ministry of education of New Zealand and the activities of governmental and non-governmental organizations concerning the English language, Maori and the New Zealand Sign Language. The author analyses New Zealand state reforms, aimed at cultivation of the cultural, educational and communicative value of the Maori language and culture. The paper draws attention to the growth of ethnic consciousness of the Maori people, communicative expansion of the Maori language usage in public, political, educational, scientific and cultural spheres of New Zealand. The language situation in New Zealand is unbalanced exoglossic. The most common language in New Zealand is English, and it continues to occupy a prestigious position in all spheres of communication: in politics, economy, education, science, art and culture. The Maori language had a low level of linguistic proficiency: it had no writing system, literary tradition, and technical terminology. New Zealand sign language became an official language of New Zealand eleven years ago. Language policy in this aspect enforces tolerance in New Zealand society. New Zealand colleges, universities, and research centers with the cooperation of state organizations, conduct effective work on the revival of the cultural Maori heritage, carry out major socio-cultural activities among New Zealand population, and develop a special method of teaching the Maori language. Currently, there is an increase of ethnic identity, expansion of the communicative use of the Maori language in public and political life, education, and mass communications in New Zealand. The prevalence of the Maori language is also seen in educational institutions as a teaching subject. Knowledge of the English language gives Maori an access to higher education, wealth and economic advantage.

В статье обосновывается необходимость признания английского языка компонентом языковой ситуации в ФРГ с 1945 года. Функционирование компонентов не связано с их политическим статусом в определённом административно-политическом образовании и количеством говорящих на них в качестве L1. Определение действующих идиомов целесообразно посредством выделения их качественных, количественных и эстимационных признаков, отражающих участие идиомов в коммуникативных процессах в рамках определённой языковой ситуации. Английский язык выступает полноценным компонентом языковой ситуации в ФРГ с 1945 года в статусе языка вертикали (vertical medium) – престижного идиома, ассоциирующегося у носителей титульного (немецкого) языка с социальным продвижением, карьерным ростом, образованием, статусом и благосостоянием. Английский язык функционирует как экзоглоссный идиом (металект) и одновременно как наиболее престижный иностранный язык, коммуникативная мощность которого равна 63%. Наибольшей популярностью английский язык пользуется у лиц в возрасте 16–29 лет (64% опрошенных Алленсбахским институтом изучения общественного мнения в 2008 году). Негативное восприятие данного идиома зафиксировано в группе респондентов старше 60 лет (68%). Максимальное распространение английский язык находит в сферах компьютерных и Internet-технологий, развлечений и свободного времяпрепровождения, трудовой занятости и образования, транспорта и автомобилей, телекоммуникационных технологий, здоровья и здорового образа жизни, музыки, гастрономии и изделий пищевкусовой промышленности ФРГ. ; In the article the necessity of recognizing English as a component of the language situation in Germany since 1945 is stated. Functioning of language situation components is not bound to their political status in a certain administrative formation or the quantity of speakers using their as L1. Active idioms should be determined by allocating their qualitative, quantitative and estimative parameters that display the idioms' participation in communicative processes within a particular language situation. English is considered an adequate component of the language situation in Germany since 1945 in the status of a vertical medium, i.e. a prestigious idiom that is associated by carriers of the title (German) language with social advancement, career development, education, status and wealth. English functions as an exoglossic idiom (metalect) and simultaneously as the most prestigious foreign language with communicative capacity of 63%. The greatest popularity English enjoys among respondents aged 16–29 (64% according to the survey of the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach in 2008). Negative perception of this idiom is recorded in the group of respondents aged over 60 (68%). In the language situation in Germany the English language is mostly spread in the areas of computer and Internet technology, entertainment and leisure activities, employment and education, transport and vehicles, telecommunications technology, health and healthy lifestyles, music, gastronomy and products of the food industry.

Исследуется языковая ситуация в современной Великобритании. Даётся теоретическая выкладка о понятии и видах языковой ситуации. Анализируются различия между экзоглоссными и эндоглоссными, сбалансированными и несбланасированными языковыми ситуациями. Авторы рассматривают нынешнее состояние британского английского, региональных языков и языков иммигрантов. Также детально анализируется взаимодействие и взаимовлияние всех языков, имеющих хождение в Великобритании. ; Scientific and technologic advance created an opportunity to move fast from across the globe and to get in contact with friends and business partners all over the world. Compression of the space-time removed many barriers, which have hindered effective communication before. Some kind of linguistic space was required in order to understand each other and continue improving relationships. Eventually, English became 'lingua franca', that is why it is important to forecast possible changes in this language in Great Britain, where it emerged and developed. It is noteworthy, that condition of English should be examined before subsequent forecasting. The authors of the article attempt to analyze the linguistic situation in Great Britain on the ground of classification made by A. Shweizer and L. Nikolsky. The theoretical part of the article is devoted to the generally accepted definition of the term 'linguistic situation' and the correlation of the state of language in the United Kingdom with the classification. According to it, the linguistic situation in Great Britain is exoglossic and non-balanced. It means that several languages are widespread among the British, but they have not equal status. In addition, there is one language-macromediator, which is English, and it is used for the communication among different ethnic groups and many regional languages and languages of immigrants. All of them are analyzed in the article. English is traditionally accepted as an official language of the United Kingdom, but it is not stated in any law. Received Pronunciation (RP) faded into insignificance, while more democratic Estuary English, which is a mixture of RP and slang, became more common. It is highlighted that individuals often use standard norms of English or its dialects depending on the social situation. The authors mark that such kind of situation is called diglos-sia. Long-term presence of Scotland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom made possible an emergence of mixtures of English and regional languages. Thus, Scots and Hiberno-English have appeared. Welsh is peculiar among other regional languages due to actions of the Welsh government and public organizations on revival of this language. Welsh was the first regional language in Great Britain, which was given an equal status with English in Wales by The Welsh Language Act 1993. Census in 2001 and 2011 has shown certain increase of people speaking Welsh but it is not enough. Experts note that discrimination of Welsh in XIX century entailed loss of Welsh identity and national traditions. It is emphasized legislation itself cannot solve the majority of these deep problems. Nevertheless, Welsh continues to develop and spread in Wales. There is another situation with other two Celtic languages Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic in Great Britain. Public organizations play a greater role in restoring these languages. Irish Gaelic was recognized only in Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Surveys show slow spread of this language because educated Irish prefer English to Gaelic in order to find a better place in the British society. Language performance of Scottish Gaelic has been decreasing for 200 years. However, tempo of reduction is rather slow. The first National Gaelic Language Plan was adopted in 2007 for 5 years. Now the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-2017 is being implemented. It is quite early to estimate the results of this plan, but officials hope its effect will be seen in some years. It is important to note that the most widespread languages after English are not included in regional languages. They are Polish and languages of Indian people. 600 000 and 700 000 immigrants respectively speak these languages. This trend shows that regulations in the field of immigrant languages became more up-to-date for the government. Great influence of Hindi on English is observed. Experts claim that new form of English Hinglish, has emerged recent years. To conclude, this article deals with main characteristics of the linguistic situation in Great Britain and examines the interrelations of the languages spread in the United Kingdom.