Multi-language Use and Lingua Franca Use: Two Strategies for Coping with Multilingualism in Af rica

Abstract

Due to the fact that most languages are spoken by relatively small populations in Africa, a number of languages which exit are spoken side by side in any given area. It is true that lingua francas have developed in many parts of Africa to cope with this multi-lingual situation. And lingua franca use has been the subject of many of the discussions of multilingualism in Africa. But we have not fully considered other strategies to control multilingualism, particularly multi-language use, i.e. speaking multiple languages. In fact, there are areas in Africa where lingua francas have not developed or are underdeveloped, and people are obliged to speak many languages to cope with the multi-lingual situation of the area. This paper tries to balance the discussion of multilingualism in Africa, by considering multi-language use, as exemplified by Kaji (2013). It is noteworthy that successful communication among people of different linguistic backgrounds is guaranteed only when a monolingual state, realized by either lingua franca use or multi-language use, prevails in the area.