Media, Education and the Count of Namibian Languages

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Periodical article

Title:	Media, Education and the Count of Namibian Languages
Author:	Lusakalalu, Pedro
Year:	2007
Periodical:	Journal of Namibian Studies
Issue:	2
Pages:	85-101
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Namibia
Subjects:	language classification Literature, Mass Media and the Press Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Education and Oral Traditions
Abstract:	The number of languages in a given country tends to be a range, in the case of Namibia between 10 and 30 languages. This paper demonstrates that the linguistic diversity of Namibia can be accounted for by the dichotomy media/education, with media relating to a large extent to the minimum figure and education to the maximum count. Any point within the range can be accounted for according to the theory of glossonymic units and the three-category classification presented in an earlier publication (2001). This typological categorization of languages suggests that the morphological behaviour of language names, or glossonyms, as well as the way these can be grouped, are to a large extent responsible for the pattern. The article classifies the following Namibian languages according to the typology: Setswana, Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Rukavango, the Caprivian languages, the San languages, and English, Afrikaans and German. Bibliogr., ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]