AfricaBib 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | Mission in a post modern world: issues of language and dependency in post-colonial Africa |
| Author: | Harries, Jim |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Periodical: | Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context (ISSN 0166-2740) |
| Volume: | 39 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| Pages: | 309-330 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Subsaharan Africa |
| Subjects: | language usage language policy missions communication |
| External link: | https://doi.org/10.1163/157254310X537007 |
| Abstract: | Missiologists typically make use of disciplines such as anthropology, philosophy and linguistics. This article looks at a gap that has been left between these disciplines - concerning the contribution of context to language meaning, The communication revolution has enabled an imposition of a common language - English - and common patterns of language use around the globe, without a parallel transporting of the contexts with which to understand such language. Introduced languages have in much of Africa eclipsed indigenous knowledge, in this way prohibiting 'home-grown' development in Africa. The inadequacy of English in Africa is illustrated by the contrast between the holistic and dualistic worldviews: English - being dualistic - is a poor means for expressing African holism. This makes the use of English in and for Africa inherently confusing. The article proposes that indigenous development be encouraged through challenging and encouraging African theology on its own terms, by encouraging Western missionaries to use African languages and resources in their task. Notes, ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract] |
