The purpose of the Journal of West African Languages is to publish articles of good quality and interest in all aspects of language and linguistics that are relevant to the area of West Africa, which may be defined as Sub-Saharan Africa, extending into Central Africa. The Journal was founded in 1964 by the West African Linguistic Society, and has been in publication ever since, with gaps in 1972-73 and 1977-81. The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) of JWAL is: 0022-5401.
The editorial board comprises: Prof Dr Adams Bodomo (Editor), Dr Hasiyatu Abubakari (Assistant Editor), Dr Isabella Jordanoska (Assistant Editor), Dr Samuel Alhassan Issah (Assistant Editor), Prof Akin Akinlabi (Editoral Advisor), Prof Felix K. Ameka (Editorial Advisor), Prof Flavien Gbeto (Editorial Advisor), Dr Keir Hansford (Consulting Editor), Prof Annie Rialland, and Prof Dr H Ekkehard Wolff.