Conference, London

[Will.]

Of possible interest to others in London with an interest in Africa.
Please read on.

BAAL
www.mkuked.co.uk

Linguistic Diversity in Africa
Conference Centre, ULU (University of London Union),

Malet Street, London


Saturday 4th March and Sunday 5th March 2006

‘Linguistic Diversity in Africa’ Conference - an Event not to be Missed!

Many African scholars are coming to deliver academic papers at the forthcoming Conference ‘Linguistic Diversity in Africa’ that will take place on 4th and 5th March 2006 at the University of London (Students’) Union in Malet Street in London. The two-day event will unite applied linguists, English Language Teaching practitioners, translators and interpreters, writers, poets, educators, and all those who wish to promote, develop and preserve African languages.

The event is sponsored by the British Academy who has funded the keynote and plenary speakers. While the event seems to be for a specialist audience, it may still be useful for anyone who takes interest in language(s). The conference presenters also include academics and professionals based in the UK (Africans and non-Africans).

The Conference is held in order to achieve several important aims and objectives, for example: to raise awareness of the current situation of the linguistic diversity in Africa, examine the threat to the existence of some African languages and dialects, and find ways of preserving Africa’s rich linguistic heritage. for example: to raise awareness of the current situation of the linguistic diversity in Africa, examine the threat to the existence of some African languages and dialects, and find ways of preserving Africa’s rich linguistic heritage.

During the Conference the participants will be trying to: ‘share the beauty’ of the linguistic diversity in Africa by focusing on certain countries (e.g. Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Ethiopia); to establish how British and European scholars can contribute to the work to this effect currently conducted by African academics; to identify what human and materials resources are needed to assist African scholars.

UK-based Africans who wish to present something at the Conference or who just wish to attend, please contact Mark without delay. Visitors from Africa would need to secure their own funds. In the future, however, given sufficient notice it may be possible to find sponsors / donors for selected African academics who would wish to be presenters at UK events.

We hope that the event breaks new ground, and – given that 2006 is the Year of Languages in Africa – why not do our best to commemorate this!
For more information about the Conference, access the website www.mkuked.co.uk or e-mail Mark Krzanowski (Conference Organiser) on [email protected]
Friday, 27th January 2006