Journal statistics
How to use the archive
When the cursor changes from an arrow to a pointing finger, it indicates a link that you may click on to select that item.
The blue buttons at the top can be selected to return to the overview or to run a search for specific information.
Most volumes have been split into two parts, each with separate articles. When you select a specific number, all of the articles will be listed with details of the author, date of publication, language and the size of the file that will be downloaded if you choose that option. Just click on the yellow "Download" button to transfer a copy of the article to your own computer or device.
- Topic #1: Language Endangerment
Observed dearth and death of a language: !Xoo of Botswana
!Xóo is a Southern Khoesan language genetically affiliated to the Taabranch of Khoesan languages. In Botswana, !Xoo habitat stretches from Ghanzi to Tsabong, and from Sekoma to the Namibian border, an area covering nearly 150 000 Km2. In this habitat !Xóo is in constant contact with powerful Bantu languages. This contact lends its speakers to adopt the language(s) of the powerful group(s) for daily community social life activities.The school and the national administrative situation also require that the !Xóo use the national language, Setswana, as if they were (its) native speakers. To engage in national matters the !Xóo are required to have competences in Setswana, even English, a situation which severely limits their participation in development and creates a situation of acute endangerment of their own language. This takes place in the context of policies that favour linguistic homogeneity, and have so far not been responsive to recommendations that seek inclusiveness. This article takes the issue of !Xóo on the hypothesis that its situation of double marginalization by the Bantu and secondly by the national language policy in education and administration creates conditions that facilitate its dearth and subsequently death in the country.
!Xóo is a Southern Khoesan language genetically affiliated to the Taa branch of Khoesan languages. In Botswana, !Xoo habitat stretches from Ghanzi to Tsabong, and from Sekoma to the Namibian border, an area covering nearly 150 000 Km2. In this habitat !Xóo is in constant contact with powerful Bantu languages. This contact lends its speakers to adopt the language(s) of the powerful group(s) for daily community social life activities.The school and the national administrative situation also require that the !Xóo use the national language, Setswana, as if they were (its) native speakers. To engage in national matters the !Xóo are required to have competences in Setswana, even English, a situation which severely limits their participation in development and creates a situation of acute endangerment of their own language. This takes place in the context of policies that favour linguistic homogeneity, and have so far not been responsive to recommendations that seek inclusiveness. This article takes the issue of !Xóo on the hypothesis that its situation of double marginalization by the Bantu and secondly by the national language policy in education and administration creates conditions that facilitate its dearth and subsequently death in the country.