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Description:
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English Language and Literature: Cross Cultural Currents is a collection of
essays that interrogate the precarious positions of English and African
languages in an era in which English is increasingly becoming the dominant
language in Africa while at the same time there is a growing resistance
against it. Though many Africans take pride in their own cultural heritage
that is expressed by their African languages, they require the economic and
social benefits of English. The book presents a language dilemma in which
both African languages and English enhance, inhibit, and influence each
other. The data used by the authors spans a broad spectrum of sources
including: fiction, courts, parliamentary Hansards, House of Chiefs,
classrooms, internet, roads and bus ranks. Thus, it is reflective of the
most and least educated, the most and least influential Africans. The
presentations provide broad insights about African symbols, metaphors,
imagery and folklores representing undocumented literature that challenge
scientific imperialism and deficit theories. The diversity and freshness of
the ideas in the book stem from the unique blend of the background of the
contributors: English language and literature teachers, teachers of African
languages, educationalists, sociologists, historians and politicians. Thus
the book is a valuable asset to scholars in linguistics, anthropology and
language policy makers.
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