Chapter 2
English in Namibia
A socio-historical account
This chapter provides a socio-historical account
of the English language in Namibia from early colonial times to the
present. Although its current dominant status in Namibia may at
first sight appear historically incongruous, English was locally
acknowledged as a prestige language along with Afrikaans and German
from the earliest stages of the South African occupation
(1915–1990), one with which SWAPO, the dominant liberation movement,
as well as its populous northern support base, strongly identified.
This chapter pays attention to the considerations that led to
English becoming Namibia’s only official language upon independence.
Furthermore, this chapter reviews indications that – despite the
challenges besetting its implementation as medium of instruction –
English is developing distinctively local spoken varieties.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Namibia’s sociolinguistic landscape from early colonial times to
the transition period (1978): Early presence of English
- 3.The transition period and Namibia’s new English-only language
policy
- 4.English in Namibia today
- 5.Conclusion
-
Notes
-
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