Martin Pütz

The construal of space in language and thought

Introduction - language and the cognitive constructural of space, Martin Putz. Part 1 A space in language: pointing, exis and distance conceptualizing space in prepositions and morphology. Part 2 Space as a cultural artifact: can langauge use cope with space? variability in the conceptualization of space. Space as a bridge to other conceptuated domains: from one meaning to another from space to time, events and beyond. Part 4 Space as an organizing principle: discourse as space abstracts words as space.

Along the routes to power : explorations of empowerment through language

This volume grew out of the 30th International LAUD Symposium, held in 2004 at the University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany. It constitutes a collection of papers by prominent linguists who explore the interdisciplinary area of language and power. The papers focus on the theoretical and sociolinguistic problems related to the role of power in language policy and language planning situations in multilingual settings, code switches, and associated topics. The fate of African minority languages and their speakers is of particular concern.

The Future of French in Nigeria's Language Policies

Abstract In a surprise announcement in December 1996 in a speech at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha said ‘Nigeria is resolutely launching a programme of national language training that will in a short order, permit our country to become thoroughly bilingual’.1 General Abachas pronouncements and decisions finally led to the recognition of French as a second official language and made it compulsory in schools (see section 1, No. 10 of the National Policy on Education 1998). Following the officialisation of French in the country, several developments have taken place with regard to the promotion of the language. The present study undertakes a quantitative investigation of the attitudes of 300 educated Nigerians towards the policy. It measures their level of awareness about this policy and critically examines the implications of the policy for some language planning issues in the country. It also assesses the extent of the impact of the policy on the French language promotion in Nigeria and goes ahead to predict the future of the language in the country. Results of the questionnaire survey show that the respondents are favourably disposed towards the policy on French and have positive attitudes towards the language.