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Ethnical and Linguistic Diversity in Libya

Ethnical and Linguistic Diversity in Libya

14/04/2014

Contrary to popular belief, Libyan society does not consist of one large, homogenous group of Arabs. Now Gaddafi is gone, the other ethnicities in the country who were severely oppressed under his regime, are making themselves heard. Lawyer and Journalist Adela Suliman enlightens us about the three largest ethnic minorities in the country. Recently, a…

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Should Nigeria Join the Francophonie?

Should Nigeria Join the Francophonie?

11/04/2014

A Nigerian professor calls on the Nigerian Government to join the Francophonie. Becoming a member of the organisation would give the indigenous languages in the country a boost, he says. Moreover,  he believes the country would benefit greatly from having support from both the English and the French. Recently, website the Nigerian Tribune featured an…

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EALA Members to Make Kiswahili the Lingua Franca of the EAC region

EALA Members to Make Kiswahili the Lingua Franca of the EAC region

09/04/2014

Last week, a number of members from the East African Legislative Assembly stated that they wish to see Kiswahili become the lingua franca of the East African Community. As the language is spoken in all countries of the communities, they do not see the need to continue their activities in English. Website AllAfrica gives an…

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Will French become the World’s Most Spoken Language?

Will French become the World’s Most Spoken Language?

09/04/2014

New research has predicted that in 2050, French will be the world’s most spoken language. Francophone Africa plays a large role in this although not everyone believes these predictions to be true due to a large flaw in the study. According to Will Lerner, the French language was long known for slowly losing ground as…

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Does Africa Hold the Key to the Future of the French Language?

Does Africa Hold the Key to the Future of the French Language?

31/03/2014

On World Francophone day, it was announced that France will train thousands of African teachers to improve the quality of French language teaching in African schools. Is this a sign that France recognises the importance of the continent in securing the future of the French language? Did you know that in the next decade, 400…

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Marketing to Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

Marketing to Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

28/03/2014

Anyone who knows Africa, knows you can never approach it as one homogenous block. For marketers, to approach the continent without a clear plan as well as understanding the differences, can lead to problems. Africa houses a great number of different cultures, languages and landscapes. Of course, marketers should take this into account when targeting…

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Twitter Use in East Africa

Twitter Use in East Africa

26/03/2014

Right now, the eyes of the Twitter community are all on Turkey, as the Turkish president has threatened to “wipe out” the social medium. However, there are other interesting things to say out the state of Twitter in other countries as well. How is the social medium used in East Africa, for example? In a…

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The Ultimate Guide to Language in Nigeria

The Ultimate Guide to Language in Nigeria

25/03/2014

The economic powerhouse of West Africa, the home of Nollywood and the ‘N’ in the MINT, pack of emerging economies, Nigeria is going places. For those looking to enter into this exciting market, it’s vital to understand the country, the people and the cultures. Language differences should always be given weight in terms of due…

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Interpreting in Oscar Trial Leads to Criticism

Interpreting in Oscar Trial Leads to Criticism

21/03/2014

In South Africa, Olympic medallist Oscar Pretorius is on trial for killing his girlfriend. Not only are the events in the “Blade Runner” trial receiving quite a lot of attention: many people have commented on the interpreter, who seems to be lacking translations skills. In an article on IOL News, Valeska Abreu investigates the matter….

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American Ambassador in Nigeria speaks Pidgin English

American Ambassador in Nigeria speaks Pidgin English

20/03/2014

Last week, the American ambassador in Nigeria had an interview on Nigerian radio. This interview was quite remarkable, and not because of what the ambassador said, but because of how he said it – he spoke in Pidgin English! According to Ofeibea Quist-Artcon on website NPR, the American ambassador located in Nigeria, James F. Entwistle,…

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