Bilingual inequality: Linguistic rights and disenfranchisement in late Belgian colonization

Abstract

Language policy in the Belgian Congo (±1880–1960) ran on two tracks. In addition to the question which languages were to be used in the ‘education’ and Christianization of the colonized masses, the authorities had to respond to linguistic tensions between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking Belgians in the colony. Regarding the first question, preference was generally given to the use of African rather than European languages in primary education. As for the second, the 1950s witnessed attempts gradually to ‘bilingualize’ the colonial apparatus, dominated, until then, by the use of French. Stressing the role of subaltern agency in language policies, the study discusses reactions by Congolese to these two options. Sources include articles published by Congolese in popular magazines, minutes of Provincial and Government Councils, and archival records and publications documenting language attitudes. Results indicate that the two policies were negatively received: the former was felt to deny Africans access to socio-economic advancement, the latter was said to preclude Congolese from obtaining appointments in public services, where Dutch-speaking Belgians would have the right to enforce the use of their language. The rights of one group to live and work in a bilingual environment thus entailed increasing inequality and disenfranchisement for another.