L481: Language in Africa (3 cr)
Instructor: Dr. Samuel Obeng
Section: 3077
TR 2:30-3:45 -- SY 004

Section open to undergraduates only.
Section meets with LING A502.

Dynamics of language spread and multilingualism. Language in education especially
language policies of selected African countries. Language in social interaction in African
communities: language use in institutional domains (e.g., political, traditional juridical,
etc. domains); avoidance discourse (that is, oblique communication through such
strategies as indirectly authored speech forms, circumlocution, anthroponymy,
toponymy and other onomastic forms, speaking through intermediaries and pseudo-
epicenters, etc.); linguistic ritual like greetings, condolences, apologies, requests, and
leavetakings. We shall also discuss linguistic strategies employed in joking and insulting
relationships as well as the power of language in African societies.