The French Language: identity, diversity and changing environments. Lectures 4 and 5 Michaelmas term 2012 The construction of postcolonial identities in Francophone Africa

Most of the Francophone African countries are close to celebrating almost 50 years of independence. Most of the Francophone African countries are close to celebrating almost 50 years of independence. France continues to play a dominant role in French-speaking Africa. France continues to play a dominant role in French-speaking Africa.

Background Area known as Francophone Africa is made up of : Area known as Francophone Africa is made up of : 14 West and Central African states, formerly part of France’s colonial empire 14 West and Central African states, formerly part of France’s colonial empire 3 Central African states formerly under Belgian rule, that have retained French as their national language 3 Central African states formerly under Belgian rule, that have retained French as their national language

Most of Francophone Africa was brought into existence in its present form as a result of : Most of Francophone Africa was brought into existence in its present form as a result of : French conquest French conquest European hegemonic practice European hegemonic practice Colonial rule Colonial rule

French minister of the colonies in Paris (Ministre des colonies) was legally responsible for their administration. French minister of the colonies in Paris (Ministre des colonies) was legally responsible for their administration. However, le gouverneur général was the central figure of the French colonial administration. However, le gouverneur général was the central figure of the French colonial administration. He was the governor of each federal unit. He was the governor of each federal unit.

Although the official goal of French administrative policy was to assimilate all Africans by making them equal citizens of the French empire, the overall colonial system was despotic and segregated. Although the official goal of French administrative policy was to assimilate all Africans by making them equal citizens of the French empire, the overall colonial system was despotic and segregated.

Oppressive and exploitative colonial rule lasted for more than 70 years. Oppressive and exploitative colonial rule lasted for more than 70 years. This was challenged by World War II. This was challenged by World War II.

Language and identity in Francophone Africa A striking feature of Francophone Africa is that in the majority of countries that make it up, French is not a vernacular but a second language for its users. A striking feature of Francophone Africa is that in the majority of countries that make it up, French is not a vernacular but a second language for its users.

The following situations are characteristic of a great many ‘French-speaking’ countries in Africa: The following situations are characteristic of a great many ‘French-speaking’ countries in Africa: Functional distinction between French and other languages Functional distinction between French and other languages

Use of French for specific and distinctive purposes. Use of French for specific and distinctive purposes.

French and the vernacular ‘division of labour’ between French and vernacular languages: ‘division of labour’ between French and vernacular languages: Characterise in a few words the differences between the two functions Characterise in a few words the differences between the two functions FrenchVernacular Legal document Family conversation TV news bulletin Folk tale Literary discourse Workmates telling jokes Obituary of national hero Angry customer in market

Division of labour between French and vernacular languages Group the following situations into: (a) those where a vernacular would seem appropriate (b) those where French would be preferable, and (c) those where a case could be made for either:

Division of labour between French and vernacular languages University lecture, election slogan, secret meeting of terrorist group, National Anthem, letter to a government department, televised speech by state president, school maths lesson, tutorial at university, job interview, quarrel between two motorists, gossiping locals in street-corner bar, family reunion, conversation between school friends, school staff meeting

Division of labour between French and vernacular languages This kind of functional differentiation between co-existing languages in the same speech community is called diglossia. This kind of functional differentiation between co-existing languages in the same speech community is called diglossia.

Diglossia High and low language. High and low language.

Thinking about diglossia…. Why, in Belgium and Switzerland, is the relationship of French to the other national languages not a diglossic one? Why, in Belgium and Switzerland, is the relationship of French to the other national languages not a diglossic one? What about the French-English relationships in Quebec? What about the French-English relationships in Quebec? Why do the Bruxellois form a bilingual but not a diglossic community? Why do the Bruxellois form a bilingual but not a diglossic community?

Low and High language Every citizen of a diglossic society knows a vernacular or Low (L) language. Every citizen of a diglossic society knows a vernacular or Low (L) language. Not everyone will know a high variety. Not everyone will know a high variety.

In a diglossic society, what do you think are the disadvantages of being monolingual in L (or conversely the advantages of being bilingual). In a diglossic society, what do you think are the disadvantages of being monolingual in L (or conversely the advantages of being bilingual).

diglossia is a characteristic feature of erstwhile French colonies where French remains a foreign language for the local population diglossia is a characteristic feature of erstwhile French colonies where French remains a foreign language for the local population there are wide differences between these countries in other aspects of language use and status. there are wide differences between these countries in other aspects of language use and status.

The Maghreb (particularly Algeria) French colonial expansion in North Africa dates from the 1830’s. French colonial expansion in North Africa dates from the 1830’s. The three departments of Alger, Constantine and Oran were added to the 89 metropolitan departments of France. The three departments of Alger, Constantine and Oran were added to the 89 metropolitan departments of France.

In Tunisia (1881) and Morocco (1912) protectorates were established which enabled these states to preserve a degree of national autonomy. In Tunisia (1881) and Morocco (1912) protectorates were established which enabled these states to preserve a degree of national autonomy.

It also served an important vehicular function in business and technology It also served an important vehicular function in business and technology In addition, it was the vernacular language of around a million European settlers in Algeria (pieds-noir). In addition, it was the vernacular language of around a million European settlers in Algeria (pieds-noir).

A policy of arabization was introduced in all three countries. A policy of arabization was introduced in all three countries.

Arabisation Arabisation is closely linked with the ideological and political struggle currently taking place in Algeria: (2) Arabisation is closely linked with the ideological and political struggle currently taking place in Algeria: (2) To speak of replacing French by Arabic is to oversimplify To speak of replacing French by Arabic is to oversimplify the vernacular varieties spoken in the Maghreb are very different from standardised literary Arabic the vernacular varieties spoken in the Maghreb are very different from standardised literary Arabic this is the official language elsewhere in the Arab world. (3) this is the official language elsewhere in the Arab world. (3)

Arabe dialectal arabe dialectal isn’t even the native language of all Algerians (4) arabe dialectal isn’t even the native language of all Algerians (4)

Status of French For many in the Maghreb, French represents an essential link with the modern, secular world. (5) For many in the Maghreb, French represents an essential link with the modern, secular world. (5)

Morocco: psycholinguistic test:different ‘thought worlds’ Respondents 80 bilinguals (F: 38, M: 42) Respondents 80 bilinguals (F: 38, M: 42)

Morocco: psycholinguistic test:different ‘thought worlds’ 6 weeks later – given same sentences in the other language and again asked to complete them. 6 weeks later – given same sentences in the other language and again asked to complete them. Some = given French versions first and some the Arabic ones. Some = given French versions first and some the Arabic ones.

Completed sentences Sentence 1: One needs a good job Sentence 1: One needs a good job

Completed sentences Sentence 2: Rich people can afford Sentence 2: Rich people can afford

Completed sentences Sentence 3: The future depends on Sentence 3: The future depends on

Completed sentences Sentence 4: A woman without children Sentence 4: A woman without children

Completed sentences Sentence 5: My aim in life is Sentence 5: My aim in life is

Completed sentences Sentence 6: One needs a good job Sentence 6: One needs a good job

Completed sentences Sentence 7: When we have guests, Sentence 7: When we have guests,

What cultural values and attitudes do French and Arabic respectively appear to represent for these bilingual speakers?