Multilinguism, linguistic policy, and endangered languages in Senegal

Abstract

Senegal is a multicultural and multilingual country where the population is estimated in 2007 to 11,519,226 inhabitants in an area of 196,712 km2. The study of existing multilingualism in Senegal and inter linguistic relationships informs us about the opinions of speakers regarding their language(s), also concerning language policies and language planning initiatives. The relationship between multilingualism and its impact in the socioeconomic and cultural life, language policies as a form of discourse in relation to different politico-administrative measures advocated since the country's independence and their implications deserve thoughtful reflection. If we look into the obstacles to the practical implementation of language policies, we realize the inconsistencies, the lack of audacity, and firmness of these language policies. Large gaps between words and deeds are known and result in adverse consequences for economic, social, and cultural development and revitalization of spoken languages by ethnic minorities. In this article we want to focus on three points; after giving an outline of the ethno-linguistic situation, the language policy of Senegal and their foundations, we will analyze the impact of these language policies on languages and cultures of Senegal and especially on minority languages and cultures and their impact on the countries development. We'll also discuss a case study of endangered language: the Mënik1 1. I would like to express gratitude to The Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project (HRELP) which allowed me to make the documentation of Bédik. I would also like to thank Prof. James Essegbey who contributed largely to the publication of this article and also for the corrections and comments he brought there. Sections of the paper will appear also in [Politique linguistique et Langues en danger au Sénégal: le cas du mënik] in Journal of West African Languages. in a special issue edited by James Essegbey and Brent Henderson. , minority language spoken in Eastern Senegal that we are currently documenting. This will allow us to identify some solutions and prospects for the improvement of endangered languages in Senegal.

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