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The natural supremacy of spoken language. Orality and writing in Africa
MICHELI, ILARIA
2021
Abstract
This contribution aims to introduce the reader to the African socio-linguistic panorama
and to the main issues bound to the often oversimplified dichotomy which sees, in
abstract terms, verbal communication as opposed to written production. In the present
article I will try to bring to light all different aspects which contribute to make the
question a very complex and multilayered one, at least in Africa, above all because
the vast majority of African languages to date do not even have a written form.
In such conditions, the issue is not whether, when or how, writing is used or allowed,
but why the lack of adequate written varieties is so pervasive and whether and how
things could be possibly changed for the better, in order to really value, protect and
promote the use of minority and endangered African spoken languages.
In brief, I will discuss the following 5 points: 1) the number of living languages in the
continent (and the difference between pluri- and multilingualism); 2) the presence
of indigenous African scripts and imported alphabets from the 3rd millennium b.C.
to present day; 3) the supremacy of orality over writing with specific references to
traditional literature and artistic production; 4) the unfair distribution of literacy and
formal education in the continent; 5) the importance of linguistic policies for the right
to education and the protection of endangered minority languages and communities.
Publisher
EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste
Source
Ilaria Micheli, "The natural supremacy of spoken language. Orality and writing in Africa", in: Ilaria Micheli, Flavia Aiello, Maddalena Toscano, Amelia Pensabene (Edited by), "Language and Identity Theories and experiences in lexicography and linguistic policies in a global world", Trieste, EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste, 2021, pp. 43-55
Languages
en
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internazionale
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