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Indigenous languages and Africa's development dilemma

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  • Mariama Khan

Abstract

Most African states like The Gambia use European languages for state activities and formal education. Africa has been a global pilot site for “transplanted” development initiatives with apparently consistent outcomes: failure, medium triumph, or unsustainable “success stories”. Its natural resources have been fully exploited, perhaps at the expense of resources like mother-tongue languages. Sidelining mother-tongue languages as the medium for the translation of the voice of the state, explains the gap in cultural relevance of many borrowed development initiatives, but also the neglect of workable endogenous practices. Africa must look inwards and exploit its indigenous language assets to benefit sustained development.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariama Khan, 2014. "Indigenous languages and Africa's development dilemma," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(5-6), pages 764-776, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cdipxx:v:24:y:2014:i:5-6:p:764-776
    DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2014.941789
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    Cited by:

    1. Delprato, Marcos & Frola, Alessia & Antequera, Germán, 2022. "Indigenous and non-Indigenous proficiency gaps for out-of-school and in-school populations: A machine learning approach," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).

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