English in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

ABSTRACT: D R Congo is an Expanding Circle space where English as a foreign language, mainly a school subject, has been used for special‐purpose needs. However, spurred by the irrepressible globalization wind and the influx of foreign multinationals and fortune‐seekers, its prestige has increased significantly. One result is its high visibility in the French‐dominated linguistic landscape, mainly in advertising. While English in D R Congo's linguistic landscape is a growth area, its use in the main domains of socio‐economic and political life remains infinitesimal. This paper discusses this apparent paradox and attempts to explain the motivations for the surging presence of English in one specific domain. It is a contribution to the study of how languages interact in their relevant social contexts and how they are selected for use. It also offers a glimpse into the under‐documented presence of English in a strongly Francophone space of the African Expanding Circle.

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