'Translanguaging' a harbinger of language and cultural loss in Africa? The central role of schools in the transmission of standard forms of African languages.

Michel Lafon (1, 2, 3)

1 IFAS - Institut Français en Afrique du Sud
2 LLACAN - Langage, LAngues et Cultures d'Afrique Noire
3 University of Pretoria [South Africa]

In the present situation where oral formal learning practices in Africa tend to dwindle drastically, schools have become one central resource for the transmission of the more classical forms of African languages. At least for the languages which can boast a literate tradition, space can be easily carved out in curricula. The fashionable tendency to accept any new (African) language form as exhibited by the hype around 'Translanguaging' should not result in sanctioning language and cultural loss. Creolization and pidginization may not be the desired end of all African languages.

Contre la tendance à valider systématiquement toutes les pratiques langagières novatrices en Afrique, au détriment des langues standard. Rappel du rôle que l'école peut jouer dans la transmission linguistique de formes 'hautes'. Ce qui vaut en Europe peut aussi valoir en Afrique.

Mots clés: language policy; Africa; African languages; education; creolisation; standard languages

Mots clés: politique linguistique; Afrique; langues africaines; apprentissage; langues standard

Domaines: Linguistique

Michel Lafon. 'Translanguaging' a harbinger of language and cultural loss in Africa? The central role of schools in the transmission of standard forms of African languages.. Wale Adegbite; Ayo Odungsiji; Oye taiwo. Linguistics and the Glocalisation of African languages for sustanaible development. A Festschrift in honor of Pr Kola Owolabi, Universal Akada Book Nigeria Lted, pp.7'-92, 2013. ⟨halshs-00874904⟩