Education in Africa 
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 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | Multilingual Developing Countries Facing Globalization |
| Author: | Rabenoro, Irene |
| Year: | 1999 |
| Periodical: | Social Dynamics |
| Volume: | 25 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Period: | Winter |
| Pages: | 70-80 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic terms: | Subsaharan Africa Africa |
| Subjects: | educational policy cultural policy multilingualism language policy indigenous languages Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Development and Technology international relations Politics and Government |
| External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02533959908458662 |
| Abstract: | All countries are facing globalization, which takes place mostly in English. To avoid being totally left behind, developing countries, and African ones in particular, need to rethink their language, cultural and educational policies in the framework of their development schemes. In Africa, the privileged minority is at least bilingual in its first language and in a language of international communication, usually the former colonizer's language. As for the disadvantaged majority, it is roughly speaking monolingual or bilingual, but in the local or national language, and has therefore limited access to the modern sector. It is often argued that multilingualism and multiculturalism ought to be promoted and preserved. But great linguistic diversity hampers communication and hinders development actions. It also favours the use of a foreign language as a lingua franca. Of particular importance is the question of what language is used as the medium of instruction. One of the possible ways of bridging the gap between the Westernized minority and the disadvantaged majority which is not proficient in a language of international communication, is to include in the teaching of international languages and in any educational and cultural action what can crudely be called 'international usages'. They refer to all kinds of behaviours, including language ones. Bibliogr., notes. |
