Archive: past updates

Dear Circle members,

Some interesting updates, but first… It’s that time of year again! 21 February is International Mother Language Day. Let me just repeat the words of last year: this day helps to remind us (if indeed reminding is needed) of the importance of people’s languages for the preservation of their culture, for their economic development, for the efficiency of their educational systems and indeed for the full and authentic development of all the talents available to mankind.

For Africa, there is still a long way to go before indigenous languages get the status and use in official domains that would benefit the continent most. However, I think that most of us in the Circle believe this time will come – it is up to us to study, publish and be active for the best possible transition to an increased use of African languages in all domains.

Dear members of our informal Circle on the promotion of African Languages,

We hope this first message of 2026 finds you well! This time, we have a number of interesting updates for you.

Local Languages, Global Futures – new book will be available in open access!

     This new volume will become available online soon. The introduction can be seen already. The volume explores the central role of African languages in shaping inclusive and sustainable futures across the continent. While Africa has long been viewed primarily as a source of extractable resources, its future strength lies in its people. With higher education access below 10% in Sub-Saharan Africa—compared to nearly 80% in the Global North—there is both an urgent need and a major opportunity to expand learning. Such expansion will only succeed if students can study in languages they know; using African languages as mediums of instruction is…

This time, just a few interesting pieces of news…

Second issue of Language Policy in Africa now published!

We have decided to call the second issue a wrap and are now preparing for Volume 2. The interesting addition to the five articles already published is an editorial, entitled ‘Five paradigms about language use in Africa’. In it, the editors try to list five different types of response to issues on language use in Africa, ranging from attempts to improve the teaching of former colonial languages to pleas for the gradual introduction of African languages in all formal domains. Your views on this are welcome! The Journal continues to accept new submissions (research articles, book reviews, or opinion pieces) on an ongoing basis.

Webinar Series – save the date.

Dear members of our informal Circle,

Webinar Series

After two successful webinars in our new series ’Conversations on Language Policy in Africa’, we are now taking a short break. The next one will take place on Friday, 9 January at 4 pm CET (that is also the time in Morocco, but  – check your time zone!)  Speaker will be Dr Yassine Boussagui of the Ibn Zohr University of Agadir, Morocco, who will talk about his article on Language Policy and Power Dynamics in Post-Independence Morocco.

After that, the conversations will take place on 6 February; 6 March; and 10 April.