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Language Planning and Ideology in Colonial Africa

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Language Policy and Economics: The Language Question in Africa

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities ((PSMLC))

Abstract

This chapter considers colonial language ideologies in Africa. It starts with a review of theoretical approaches to colonial language ideologies. Next, it discusses the roots and implementation of these ideologies, and investigates how colonial authorities, particularly the Belgians, British, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, responded to the language question in the African territories they conquered. In conclusion, this chapter considers the legacy of colonial language ideologies in Africa and the next chapter discusses how that legacy continues to impact language policy decision-making in postcolonial Africa.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The map covers the entire African continent as of 1913, and shows only modern-day boundaries, largely a legacy of the colonial era.

  2. 2.

    As already noted, the World Bank (2005: 2) now acknowledges that first-language instruction results in a number of benefits, as highlighted in Djité (2008: 67).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English, Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Nkonko M. Kamwangamalu

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  1. Nkonko M. Kamwangamalu
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Kamwangamalu, N.M. (2016). Language Planning and Ideology in Colonial Africa. In: Language Policy and Economics: The Language Question in Africa. Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-31623-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-31623-3_2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-230-25172-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-31623-3

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