Books In African Languages Research Articles

The Impact of a University’s Language Policy on Its Library’s Print Collections

The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the North-West University’s language policy on its library’s print collections. It analyses the languages represented by books held by the North-West University Library and Information Services. The article further established the strategies used by the libraries to develop, preserve and promote African languages in support of the university’s language policy. The paper employed bibliometrics and focus group interviews to gather data. The findings revealed that books in African languages that were recognised by the university were difficult to get on the market. As a result, the majority of books accessioned by the libraries were in English, followed by Afrikaans, and relatively few books in Setswana, and Sesotho. The study is the first of its kind focusing on language policy and academic libraries in South Africa. It is valuable to both policy makers and librarians in their endeavours to develop sizeable African language collections in support of the curricula and research. Among the recommendations is that African language departments at various universities should collaborate with libraries to start open access African language journals, and publish them through the institutional repositories.

African language books for children: issues for authors

Growing interest in bilingual education in sub-Saharan Africa has highlighted an urgent need for reading material in African languages. In this paper, we focus on authors, one of several groups of stakeholders with responsibility for meeting this demand. We address three main issues: the nature and extent of African language publishing for children; the challenges for authors; and the available support. Our analysis is based on interviews and focus group discussions with publishers, authors, translators, educationalists, and representatives of book promotion organisations from nine African countries and documentary data on children's books in African languages in South Africa. Although there is evidence of a growing interest in producing books in local languages, the number of titles is constrained by funding. The challenges for authors include the need to understand the ingredients for successful children's books and for the sensitivity necessary to negotiate the linguistic challenges associated with a newly emergent genre in African languages. Support, in the form of competitions and workshops, relies on external funding and expertise and offers only temporary solutions. We finish with suggestions for more sustainable ways forward.

Books in African Languages in the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University: a catalog, compiled by David W. Bade (PAS Working Papers; 8) Evanston, IL, Program of African Studies, Northwestern University, 2000. 2 volumes.

Books in African Languages in the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University: a catalog, compiled by David W. Bade (PAS Working Papers; 8) Evanston, IL, Program of African Studies, Northwestern University, 2000. 2 volumes. - Volume 88

Suspension of the Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

Suspension of the Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

Tenth Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

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Ninth Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

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Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

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Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Fifth Competition

Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Fifth Competition

Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

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Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Fourth Competition

The awards in the fourth competition for books written by Africans in African languages have now been made, and the list of prize-winners is given below. This was the first time that only three languages were selected for competition, these being Yoruba, Kikuyu, and Chuana. Altogether 39 manuscripts were received, divided among the selected languages as follows: Yoruba 18, Kikuyu 12, Chuana 9. The experts who assisted in the examination of the entries were: Mr. A. Hunt Cooke, Archdeacon J. McKay, Mr. H. G. Ramshaw for Yoruba; Rev. T. F. C Bewes, Mr. W. Scott Dickson, Mrs. Rampley for Kikuyu; Herr F. Krüger for Chuana; and the Sub-Committee appointed by the Executive Council to judge the manuscripts desires to express its indebtedness to these experts for the careful reports submitted, which gready facilitated the work.

Preliminary Notice of Prize Competition for Books in African Languages, 1935

Preliminary Notice of Prize Competition for Books in African Languages, 1935

Prizes for Books in African Languages

Prizes for Books in African Languages

Prize Competition for Books in African Languages, 1934

Prize Competition for Books in African Languages, 1934

Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Second Competition

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Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

Prize Competition for Books in African Languages

Prizes for Books in African Languages

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Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Competition for 1930

Prizes for Books in African Languages. Awards in Competition for 1930

Prizes for Books in African Languages

Prizes for Books in African Languages

Prizes for Books in African Languages

There are men and women among many African peoples who enjoy books in their own language and who are also capable of writing books in their own tongue. The International Institute of African Languages and Cultures desires to help and encourage such people in their efforts, as it is the pride of every nation to possess a literature in its own language.The Institute has, therefore, decided to offer prizes for the best books in African languages.

Prizes for Books in African Languages

Prizes for Books in African Languages