Paper short abstract:

This study examines contemporary and historical African-based journals that publish(ed) in both indigenous and colonial languages by gaining insights into editorial consideration, as well as those of contributors, and explore what they perceive as the advantages and disadvantages of these vehicles.

Paper long abstract:

Knowledge production and dissemination in African Studies has predominantly been carried out with the use of European languages. This is no different where academic publishing is concerned. Today, there are however some journals that go against this grain by accepting articles written in African indigenous languages (occasionally next to contributions in colonial languages). This study examines contemporary and historical African-based journals that publish(ed) in both indigenous and colonial languages. It will take a qualitative approach and use some numerical data to gain insights into editorial consideration, as well as those of contributors, and explore what they perceive as the advantages and disadvantages of these vehicles. Some of the African studies journals that will be considered for this study include Lagos Notes and Records (English, French and African Languages), the Journal of Yoruba Studies Association (English and Yoruba) Langbaasa (Yoruba alone) Igede (Igbo alone), ACASA (English and African indigenous languages), Maarifa (English and Swahili) to name a few. The spread and readership of these journals will also be probed along intra and intercontinental lines. The impact of indigenous languages on knowledge dissemination in African studies journals from Africa is grossly understudied and, yet, a firmer understanding of such promises to help to reconfigure the field of African studies.