L481: Language in Africa (3 cr.)


Instructor: S. Obeng
TR 9:30-10:45am
SY 204
Section: 2790
Above section open to undergraduates only.
Above section meets with LING A502

Description:

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.