The role of sensitisation in the success of community-geared language revitalisation programme: an experience from BASAL programme in Cameroon

Auteurs

  • Gabriel Delmon Djomeni University of Yaoundé I

    DOI :

    https://doi.org/10.22168/2237-6321.7.7.1.504-518

    Mots-clés :

    Revitalisation. Sensitisation. Community.

    Résumé

    This paper aims at showing the importance of sensitisation in the success of a language revitalisation programme based on community-geared approach. Driving some experiences from BASAL (Basic Standardisation of all Unwritten African Languages), the paper shows that without a well-organised and strategic campaign which allows the researcher to get into direct contact with community members and community leaders in order to gain participation, the project would fail. When a linguist, researcher and outsider settles in a community in the perspective of developing their language, he must first find some strategies that will help him to nurture a conducive environment if he wishes to succeed. This requires sensitisation of local people. The main goal of sensitisation is to capture responsiveness of the native speakers and convince them to contribute and collaborate through their effective participation and empowerment toward success in the development of their language.

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    Références

    BITJA’A KODY, Z. D. Attitudes et représentations linguistiques à Yaoundé. African Journal of Applied Linguistics, Cameroon, Yaoundé, n. 2, p. 100-124, 2000.

    DJOMENI, G. D. From description to standard orthography and pedagogic grammar in the revitalisation process of endangered languages: the case of Bembele. 2012. PhD thesis – University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, Yaoundé, 2012.

    ______. Standardisation de base des langues africaines: Partage de l’expérience d’un volontaire en milieu rural Bə̀mbələ̀ Cameroun. African Journal of Applied Linguistics, Yaoundé, n. 6, p. 61-82, 2008.

    DIXON, R. M. W. Field linguistics: a minor manual. STUF – Sprachtypologie und Universalienforschung, v. 60, n. 1, p. 12-31, 2007.

    MBA, G. The community driven development approach and mother tongue literacy and literacy in Cameroon. Langage et devenir. Revue Béninoise de la recherche scientifique et technique, Cotonou, n. 3, p. 28-40, 2007.

    SADEMBOUO, E. ; MBA, G. Les défis de standardisation de base des langues en danger au Cameroun et perspectives africaines. Actes de la Conférence Linguapax Africa, Cameroon, Yaoundé, p. 169-172, 2006.

    WATTERS, J. Three socio-economic factors affecting the nature and development of language programmes. In: KINDELL, G. E. (Ed.). Proceedings of the SIL assessment conference. SIL: Dallas, 1991. p. 105-109.

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    Publiée

    2017-09-23

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    Comment citer

    DJOMENI, Gabriel Delmon. The role of sensitisation in the success of community-geared language revitalisation programme: an experience from BASAL programme in Cameroon. Entrepalavras, Fortaleza, v. 7, n. 1, p. 504–518, 2017. DOI: 10.22168/2237-6321.7.7.1.504-518. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufc.br/entrepalavras/article/view/99153. Acesso em: 12 oct. 2026.