Reflections on the language policy balance sheet in Africa

Abstract

This article reflects on the state of language policies in post-colonial Africa at the time of the millennium, with a focus on efforts to promote the use of African languages in higher domains such as education. The evidence gleaned supports the argument that language policies in most African countries have succeeded only in creating space, on paper at least, for the promotion of the indigenous languages in higher domains. However, they have failed to implement the policies and sever ties with inherited colonial language policies. The article points out that language policy failure stems from the interplay of various ideologies, among them the ideology of development vs. the ideology of decolonisation; the ideology of globalisation vs. the ideology of localisation; and the legacy of inherited colonial language policies. The article deconstructs these ideologies and calls for a more pragmatic, decentralised, market-oriented approach to status planning for African languages, if the masses who speak these languages are to participate actively in the social, political and economic development of the African continent.