Short Abstract

This round table seeks to showcase thinking around a proposal that will bring scientific insights to bear on language policy formulation and implementation in selected African countries. Discussants are drawn from partner institutions working together on this new line of action-oriented research.

Long Abstract

Convenors of this roundtable view epistemic activity based in indigenous approaches to knowledge production as part of an active and future-oriented scientific praxis that needs to be mediated through African languages - not as something of the past. Languages are prisms through which the world is seen, knowledge is produced and shared. In the same way, perspectives as well as world views are formed and articulated. For languages to be able to fulfil this role for their speakers, they have to be used, adapted, and promoted by their communities. They are part of a living cultural ecosystem; it is within this ecosystem that indigenous knowledge production can thrive (as suggested by Prah, 1998). This function of African languages has been and still is under pressure, as a result of the continued dominance of former colonial languages. A decolonial approach to languages therefore has as long-term goal the gradual increase of use of African languages, including in formal domains. However, current language policies on the continent are not conducive to such a transition. Scientific inputs from indigenous languages are ignored in favour of the so-called modern form of knowledge produced in European languages (Wolff, 2016). New action-oriented research seeks to identify where there are opportunities for change on the continent and to mobilize the scientific community to give relevant inputs at strategic times. The roundtable will share insight into new research projects. It is also a welcome opportunity to engage in conversation with the audience.

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