Universität zu Köln

Pasch, Helma (2008). Competing scripts: the introduction of the Roman alphabet in Africa. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2008 (191). pp. 65-109. De Gruyter. ISSN 1613-3668

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Abstract

The introduction of the Roman script since the turn of the 20th century was the first attempt of mass alphabetization in Africa, and it has become the most important writing system. It was, however, not the first script on the continent. In Old Egypt and its successor states, writing systems were developed, transferred to other languages and modified, replaced by new systems, and occasionally became obsolete. In a number of northern and north-eastern African languages Latin replaced earlier scripts. Despite many efforts to alphabetize the population and graphize African languages only a few languages have become media of written communication and learning. For some languages, however, independent scripts were, some of which are used till today. The introduction of the internet enhanced the chances for the Latin script as a written medium for African languages. It is also the platform for a revival of the old scripts likeTifinagh and Ajami, and some of the independent African scripts.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Translated title:	Title Language Schriften im Wettstreit: die Einführung des lateinischen Alphabets in Afrika German
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Pasch, Helma ama14@uni-koeln.de UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-56691
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of the Sociology of Language
Volume:	2008
Number:	191
Page Range:	pp. 65-109
Date:	27 May 2008
Publisher:	De Gruyter
ISSN:	1613-3668
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Afrikanistik und Ägyptologie
Subjects:	Library and information sciences Customs, etiquette, folklore Other languages
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Mandombe UNSPECIFIED Afrikanische Schriften German African scropts English Écritures africaines French Roman Alphabet in Africa UNSPECIFIED
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/5669