African multilingual public sphere: a critical analysis of minority indigenous language(s) representation on Breeze FM talk radio in Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is significant to note that the African public sphere has not been fully explored beyond Habermas or Mouffe’s theoretical lens. Relying on what we call the African multilingual public sphere, this article analyses talk shows on commercial radio to ascertain the marginalisation of minority ethnolinguistic groups in Zimbabwe. The study uses an ethnographic observation technique and in-depth interviews with radio hosts, and presenters to analyse participants' interaction within an indigenous multilingual context of Breeze FM talk shows. The article argues that the dominance of major indigenous language speakers on talk radio reflects the dominance of such languages in the African polity. The findings of the study shows the dominance of major indigenous languages and a lack of participants in minority languages on Breeze FM talk shows. This article argues that the African multilingual public sphere should reflect participation by all ethnolinguistic groups in their indigenous languages. We argue that both majority language speakers and minority language speakers should be accommodated in the public sphere and multilingualism should occur without switching to the language of the majority.