Language use and language attitudes in Malawian universities

PE English;PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania

Reilly, Colin ; Anderson, Wendy

University:University of Glasgow

Department:School of Critical Studies

关键词: Language policy, Language planning, Sociolinguistics, Higher education, Malawi;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7420/7/2016reillymphil.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

This study aims to investigate patterns of language use and language attitudes amongst students inMalawian universities. This will highlight whether language issues affect Malawians’ ability to engagewith tertiary education. It has been claimed that ineffective language policies in developing countriesrestrict people’s ability to access systems such as education. As a result, this has a negative impact ontheir own, and their country's, development. Specifically, Malawi frequently has the lowest rates ofuniversity enrolment worldwide and is consistently ranked amongst the world’s poorest countries.Recent language policy changes within Malawi have brought the issue of language use withineducation to the fore, with increased debate over whether English or indigenous languages are suitablefor use in education. Through targeting university students across Malawi’s universities using semistructuredinterviews, data was collected to illustrate aspects of the sociolinguistic situation withinMalawian universities. The results reveal that both English and indigenous languages are used withinthe university environment, while also suggesting that issues do arise from language use withinuniversity. While students recognise both positive and negative aspects of using each language, theyare generally more favourable towards the use of English as a medium of instruction within university