French in Multilingual Anglophone Africa - by Michael Akinpelu & Tunde Ajiboye (Hardcover)

About the Book

Examines the impact of French language in Nigeria and its connection to literature and translation.

Book Synopsis

Examining the impact of French language in Nigeria, this book discusses the prospects of French language use for development as well as its connection to literature and translation. Despite its ambiguous and indistinct official status in the country, French remains the preferred foreign language in Nigeria and academia. Michael Akinpelu and Tunde Ajiboye's, French in Multilingual Anglophone Africa: Language, Literature, and Translation in Nigeria discusses how the French language is not only taught as a foreign language in Nigerian higher education, but is also an important linguistic code for literary creation, translation, and interpretation, blending local and international francophone cultures. Part I explores issues related to bilingualism, language resource management, and comparison between French and local languages. Part II considers the French language's exploitation in relation to translation and interpretation with particular interests in cultural challenges. Part III provides historical context tracing the evolution of literary engagement of Nigerian writers' contact with French and evolving perspectives on the language in Nigerian literature from the 1930s to present day. Using case studies, classroom fieldwork, and policy analyses, this book shows how French in multilingual Africa is not just a mode of communication, but a powerful instrument of socio-economic integration and mobility in a globalized world.

Review Quotes

"This edited volume offers rich and varied perspectives on the role of French in Nigeria, where the language has co-official status yet lacks governmental support. The contributors emphasize the importance of 'English-French bilingualism' for economic opportunities, regional integration, human development, and cross-cultural understanding. Their optimism and zeal help make this book a compelling read. In a time of shifting alliances in Africa, Nigeria's 'long-standing romance with French' might just be stoked by those with a passion for the interplay of languages and cultures." --Mary Vogl, Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Colorado State University, USA

About the Author

Michael Akinpelu is Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Regina, Canada.

Tunde Ajiboye is retired professor of French Language and Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.