![]() The shaky nature of this language policy has led to frantic calls for alternative language policies to be adopted with the intention of achieving national unity and stability in the country. Thus, this discriminatory treatment has weakened the enthusiasm and the ability of many Cameroonians to contribute to the national development effort. He argues that these linguistic choices have “consciously or unconsciously discarded the linguistic and cultural identities of the people, thereby marginalizing them in the mainstream of decision-making” (2006 44). Chiatoh thinks that this policy leaves much to be desired in terms of national unity, stability and development, given its lifespan of over forty years in Cameroon. This language policy has left many concerned researchers worried, given that it has failed to meet their expectations. The country’s constitution assigns roles to English and French as the two official languages, and at least takes the engagement to promote and protect the indigenous languages, but nothing is said about CPE.Īs the quote shows, Cameroon operates under the framework of an official bilingualism language policy, which designates English and French as the official languages of government institutions (education, administration, parliament, mass media, international communication, etc.), to the detriment of the other languages that are spoken in the country. In short, CPE does not have any policy statement in respect of the language policy of Cameroon. ![]() In spite of the ground covered by CPE, it is still to receive the blessings of governmental authorities with regard to official recognition, as it is neither mentioned in the constitution of the country nor given any role in the education system. In a more recent account, Mbangwana (2004 23) states that 97.8 % of Anglophone and 61.8 % of Francophone Cameroonian urban dwellers speak CPE. In an earlier account, Fonlon argues that CPE was and still is “the most widely spoken lingua franca in Cameroon” (1963 402), This claim is further reinforced by Chia (1983), who says it is not only widely spoken, but also a very popular language in Cameroon. Commenting on the “exploits” of CPE, Yuka (2001) states that CPE has virtually taken the centre stage, relegating the local languages to the background. ![]() It has forced its way into areas that were hitherto the preserve of the two official languages (see Simo Bobda 2009, Chia 2009). Though in a complex multilingual setting with its ongoing official neglect by the State, the language has been asserting itself in manifold ways (Tarh 2007). While French and English enjoy official status because they are recognized and recommended by the State as languages of instruction, CPE enjoys an unofficial status vested by Cameroonians who have recognized it as an important language of social interaction in the country. ![]() The Cameroon linguistic landscape comprises two received languages: English and French co-existing as official languages, a multitude of indigenous languages, and a dominant English-based Pidgin, which is an invaluable tool of wider communication in the country. ![]()
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