Language and Education in Africa: A fresh approach to the debates on language, education, and cultural identity

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Book

Title:	Language and Education in Africa: A fresh approach to the debates on language, education, and cultural identity
Author:	Pinxteren, Bert van
Year:	2022
Issue:	80
Pages:	247
Language:	English
Series:	African Studies Collection
City of publisher:	Leiden
Publisher:	African Studies Centre Leiden
ISBN:	9789054481928
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	languages education identity schools educational policy
External link:	https://hdl.handle.net/1887/3446986
Abstract:	This book starts with Vansina, who holds that old cultural traditions in Africa have been destroyed, but that new ones are emerging. With Prah, the study argues that a key role is played by education, which has to be based on African languages and values. Using a new quantitative comparative analysis, the study shows that maintaining former colonial languages as medium of instruction will become impossible to sustain. Over the next decade, some African countries will have to transition to African languages. The issue of language choice has vexed researchers and policymakers. The study shows how all over the world, designed languages serve speakers of several discerned languages. This solution could also be used in Africa, as demonstrated through six brief case studies. African languages in education will bolster the new, decolonised cultural traditions already taking shape on the continent.