Description
Book SynopsisVernacular Palaver examines the continuing appeal of the idea of ‘the local’ for cultural brokers in West Africa, even in instances where they have a growing interaction with diverse global and continental languages of wider communication. It highlights the contribution of foreign and indigenous languages of wider communication to the formation of the new alliances and sodalities that are testing the relevance of locality, and reshaping the concept of local culture, in West Africa. The author traces the role of discourse about language in West African identity politics from the cultural nationalists of the early 20th century to the religious transnationals of the contemporary period. Using examples from video film, popular literature, the activity of religious associations, and educational practice, this book seeks to advance our understanding of the varied functions of non-native languages in multilingual societies.
Trade Review"Vernacular Palaver is a convincingly argued and innovative assessment of the use of languages in different educational and popular cultural settings in Africa. The work sparkles with ideas and is rigorously, unflinchingly critical in its analysis of both context and the current literatures in the field. It is a mature piece of work, and full of critical insight. Alison Phipps, University of Glasgow"
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Acknowledgements
1 Colonial Encounters and Discourses of the Vernacular
2 African Literature, European Languages, and Imaginations of the Local
3 Foreign Languages, Local Audiences: The Case of Nigerian Video Film in English
4 Romance Without Borders: Narrating Love, Femininity, and the Local in Contemporary Ivory Coast
5 Languages of Wider Communication and Alternative Sites of Belonging
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
