Perspectives on Language Endangerment

Description

This book is the outcome of growing reflection that started a year ago on the fate of Cameroonian minority languages in these turbulent and fast transforming times marked by globalisation. While conducting research on issues relating to intergenerational transmission, patterns of language choice and use, folklore in indigenous mother tongues and attitudes towards indigenous languages and in our endeavour to contribute to the development of Cameroonian national languages, it became clear that most minority languages were seemingly endangered in different degrees, as some of the speakers were progressively shifting to dominant and imported colonial languages. Among the many factors that seemed to account for this emerging reality were diminishing rate of folkloric discourse, lack of vibrancy of indigenous languages, increased urbanisation, population displacement, exclusive and sustained use of foreign official languages in education.