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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Absence of National Languages in Education and its Consequences: A Case Study of Cameroon
Author:Ngoufan Happi, ThierryISNI
Year:1996
Periodical:Ufahamu
Volume:24
Issue:1
Pages:98-109
Language:English
Geographic term:Cameroon
Subjects:language policy
indigenous languages
Education and Oral Traditions
Abstract:One immediate consequence of Cameroon's ethnic and linguistic diversity is the absence of Cameroonian languages in the educational system, as well as the lack of a national language spoken throughout the country, regardless of ethnic origin. Only a very few number of schools have Cameroonian languages in their educational programmes. Even in rural areas, academic programmes emphasize the study of French and English. This situation is the result of the absence of official support for the promotion of national languages, lack of financial means, lack of interest on the part of the general population, and technical and pedagogical barriers. The absence of Cameroonian languages in education has cultural, economic and political consequences. While many solutions to the problems posed by the absence of a common national language have been proposed since the mid-1970s, the government has so far done nothing to implement them. Pending a definitive solution, the author proposes that the newly created and widely spoken Cameroonian language 'Camfranglais' be officialized. Bibliogr., notes, ref.
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