Language Rights and the Role of Minority Languages in National Development in Malawi

Abstract

Minority languages in both industrialised and developing countries have seldom been considered as objects of serious study. The discussion recognises that linguistic minorities are not homogeneous in nature. Apart from their sociolinguistic settings, they also differ in their historical, cultural, and natural backgrounds which makes it difficult for one to discuss them in a single framework. However, their general discussion in this paper can be justified on the grounds of their distinctive rights and the factors leading to their low usage. The paper addresses the question of linguistic rights within the classic debate of balancing liberal freedom within the demands of a capitalist economy, of equity and efficiency. Thus, the relevant perspectives include the relationship between socio-economic development, political economy and language planning. Although the arguments over linguistic rights have at times been theoretical and ideological, this paper attempts to contextualise the important need for recognising rights not only for their own sake but also for the resultant need for holistic participation of minority groups in national development. This paper attempts to discuss the role and use of minority languages in Malawi in national development from a rights perspective.

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