Thandekile J Balufu R194673Z

Martha Mutumba R194668Y

Thembani Ncube R194640Z

Charlene R Charlie R194571V

Denzel Mwale R1849727Z

Paneshe Tichareva R194703G

Lorna Rusakaniko R188503R

Question: Discuss the politics of language in Africa's post colonial

debate.
This essay seeks to discuss the politics of language in the post colonial
Africa. Africa as a continent is rich with different languages. For
example, Nigeria alone has more than three hundred spoken languages.
These multiple languages resembles different cultures, ethnic groups and
geopolitical boundaries. Language in Africa is political, that it can be
used for political mileage, advancement and disadvantaging of other
groups. Political parties in Africa are often defined by language. In the
post colonial Africa, there has been debate over language, language use
and acquisition. The debate has been centred on the idea that multiple
languages are negative for nation building, unity, and national
development in that they often cause conflicts between different ethnic
groups and political tension. Contrary to this, some would support
multiple languages against homogenization of language, arguing that it
promotes inequalities between ethnic groups.

The politics of language has caused a serious debate in the post colonial
Africa. The reason or reasons behind is that Africa is linguistically
diverse (Rotimi, 1989). This diversity often cause multiple ethnic
differences as different ethnic groups are defined by language. There is a
group that justifies the multiplicity of language in Africa. These argue
that, no language is inferior to the other. Rather that, in actuality all
languages should be perceived as equal. Multilinguism is said to promote
equality, socioeconomic and political inclusion and social justice. For
example, those in support of multiple languages argue that the
strengthening of the African languages both in education and in the
public domain, in courts, and in the media also has to do with social
justice for the masses of Africans as well as with the exertion of
democracy.

In line with the above, the post colonial Africa debate on the politics of
language often stir debate on who and what group is to benefit from the
use of a specific language (Fafunwa, 1990). Those in support of multiple
languages purpotes that, the dominance of a single language can affect
the other ethnic groups in many ways, like culturally, politically and
economically as well as educationally. Therefore, there is need for a
holistic approach when it comes to languages and language use in the
national discourse.

However, multiple language use in African countries can affect stability,

unity and national purpose. It is often asserted that multiple languages can
cause underdevelopment. The proponents of homogeneity of language,
believe that there is an association of the multiple languages with
economic backwardness. Linguistic heterogeneity is further associated
with poor economic performance, insufficient provision of public goods,
higher levels of corruption, less social trust and a high probability of
internal conflict. It is against this background, that an opposing group of
scholars arise arguing in support of language homogeneity. They argue
that, the existence of a single language is associated with economic
prosperity and political stability. Although it is justifiable, this
assumption can be debated on what language should be acquired for
national discourse. In this case, some would go for the colonial language
like French, Portuguese or English, whereas, some would prefer a local
language of the dominating group.

On the acquisition of the dominating local language like Shona in

Zimbabwe, there has been concern over legal protection of the African
languages. It is generally believed that the African languages rarely find
any legally meaningful protection under national laws (Kamanga, 2001).
For instance, Kamanga (2001) with on Tanzania, suggested that there is a
need for the Constitution of Tanzania to explicitly recognise language as
one of the grounds for discrimination. Language is not clearly mentioned
in the Constitution of Tanzania (Mekacha, 2001).

Furthermore, the post colonial debate in Africa on the politics of language

shows that language is an important factor of identity formation
(Kamanga, 2001). It is also important in that considering the multilingual
nature of Africa, political discourse related to ethnic and nation-state
issues founded on the language factor is crucial to a holistic
understanding of the African situation. It is therefore believed that the
multiple languages reflects democracy and respect of human rights. The
right to language choice is considered an integral part of fundamental
human rights. It is from this understanding that, multilingualism can be
seen as an asset, rather than being a challenge to development and
socioeconomic progress.

Moreover, central to the debate of politics of language in post colonial

Africa is power. For example, the choice of a language of instruction in
Africa is considered a political choice (Fafunwa, 1990). This choice is
used in the process to redistribute power in an African country. This takes
lace between the elites and the masses. For example, the African political
writers concerned with reaching the masses and not only the elites will
often write in African languages. It is believed that the choosing of the
language of instruction a language people speak, are familiar with, and
which belongs to their cultural heritage, would redistribute power from
the privileged few to the masses. So in a case were a colonial language is
used in public institutions can affect power distribution in Africa. Only
those that are able to speak the foreign language can hold power.

Moreso, the proponents of multilinguism believe that forms of knowledge

that could have empowered the underprivileged would have to be built on
African culture and tradition and be delivered in African languages
(Kamanga, 2001). Therefore, in that case a concern for social justice and
democracy would lead African political leaders to work for a
strengthening of the African languages. This challenges the idea that
language inequalities affect democracy and continue to affect the
majority.
It is also believed that through language people have not only described
the world, but also understand themselves by it. Therefore, the use of
colonial language like English in Africa is a detrimental. English for
example in Africa is considered a cultural bomb  that continues a process
of throwing away memories of pre-colonial cultures and history and
installs the dominance of new forms of colonialism. Also Ngũgĩ points
out that language and culture are inseparable, and that therefore the loss
of the former results in the loss of the latter (Ngugi, 1986).

In summation, the foregoing discussion analyzed the politics of language

in the post colonial Africa. As is demonstrated in the foregoing
discussion, Africa as a continent is rich with different languages. For
example, Nigeria alone has more than three hundred spoken languages.
These multiple languages resembles different cultures, ethnic groups and
geopolitical boundaries. Language in Africa is political, that it can be
used for political mileage, advancement and disadvantaging of other
groups. In the post colonial Africa, there has been debate over language,
language use and acquisition. The debate has been centred on the idea
that multiple languages are negative for nation building, unity, and
national development in that they often cause conflicts between different
ethnic groups and political tension. Contrary to this, some would support
multiple languages against homogenization of language, arguing that it
promotes inequalities between ethnic groups. These and other issues are
looked into in depth in the above discussion.
References

Fafunwa, B. A. (l990). “Using National Languages in Education: A

Challenge to African Educators.” Dakar: Breda.

Kamanga. (2001). “Globalization and Its Legal Implications on Higher

Education in Africa.” Paper presented on November 12 at the African
University Day at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Mazrui, A. (1996). “Perspective: The Muse of Modernity and the Quest

for Development.”Trenton: Africa World Press.

Rotimi (1989). Multilingualism in Sub-Saharan Africa.Africa. Media

Review.