Language policy management for multilingualism in portuguese-speaking african countries: discussions from Angola and Mozambique

Abstract

Language policy management is a significant challenge in the African Portuguese-speaking Countries (APSC). It stems from the idea that poorly constructed language policies threaten the existence of languages, reducing their preservation, and can contribute to their obliteration. In this sense, Angola and Mozambique share a common historical and linguistic past: the existence of Bantu and Khoisan African languages and their coexistence with Portuguese, a language inherited from Portugal and also the only language established for administrative services, which puts multilingualism in check. Our research aims to analyse the sociolinguistic situation of Angola and Mozambique, describing the established policies and the challenges that can contribute to the revitalization of endangered languages. This is bibliographic research (also supported by interviews) that seeks to understand how language policies can be established that effectively contribute to the safeguarding, revitalization, and preservation of Bantu and Khoisan African languages in both contexts. In conclusion, our discussion points to the need to rethink the place of African native languages in the APSC countries and to debate the need to implement multilingual education, as well as the creation of grammars for the African varieties of Portuguese.