Happy Mother language Day 2025!
Dear members of our informal Circle,
Today, 21 February, marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. 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.
There is a special celebration going on today at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris – you can watch the live stream here if you are interested.
Just a few other updates this time:
Journal Language Policy in Africa
The peer review process of the submissions received so far is proceeding slowly; a number of authors are now working on the needed revisions to their submissions. We expect a beautiful crop of articles for the inaugural issue, which we hope to publish in a few months’ time. If you receive requests to participate in the peer review process – please respond! In the meantime, the Journal remains open for submissions.
New members
One new member since the last update: Dr Mariama Khan, originally from Gambia but now at the City University of New York, USA.
CfP
At the request of Circle member Berrington Ntombela, I would like to call your attention to a Call for Papers for the 25th Conference of the African Language Association of Southern Africa, to be held in July in Polokwane, hosted by the University of Limpopo.
Please keep sharing your updates and news,
Warm regards,
Bert (also on behalf of Comfort, Sarita and Taiwo).