A502: Language in Africa (3 cr)
Instructor: Dr. Samuel Obeng
Section: 3100

Section open to graduates only.
Section meets with LING L481.

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 rituals like greetings, condolences, apologies, requests,
and leave takings. We shall also discuss linguistic strategies
employed in joking and insulting relationships as well as the power
of language in African societies.