L481: Language in Africa (3 cr)
Instructor: Dr. Samuel Obeng
Section: 3097

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 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.