A Review of Language Policy and Economics: The Language Question in Africa

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2019, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (1) : 92-96.

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Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2019, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (1) : 92-96. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20190108

A Review of Language Policy and Economics: The Language Question in Africa

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Abstract

The book Language Policy and Economics focuses on the relationship between language policy, language planning and socio-economic development in Africa. It addresses the perennial question of how to promote Africa’s indigenous languages as media of instruction in educational systems. including discussions of the status and role of language economics in language policy research,and an in-depth analysis of language policy in history and post-colonial period, the persistence of colonial linguistic ideology,and new trends of language planning in the context of globalization. In particular, economic theories are introduced to analyze some major issues, such as the question of why colonial linguistic ideology persisted in the post-colonial period of Africa, the dilemma of African languages in the context of globalization, and the prospects of African language planning. On this basis, the book argues that “language is an indispensable part of the social, political and economic development of a nation”. It holds that only by recognizing the actual value of African native languages economically and ensuring that they produce concrete economic returns in real life can policymakers be able to change their current situation. Addressing the usually overlooked the link between languages and economic development, this book not only provides a good example and an important reference for the application of economics to the study of language policy, but also has positive implications for the study and practice of language policy and planning in China.

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language policy / economics of language / prestige planning

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A Review of Language Policy and Economics: The Language Question in Africa[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2019, 4(1): 92-96 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20190108

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