The Contribution of Polyglossia in the Maintenance of Local Languages in Multilingual Countries: Case of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The concepts diglossia and polyglossia are used in bilingual and multilingual contexts, respectively. The former refers to the use of two languages in different contexts, one being used in formal contexts and the other in informal ones. These terms aim of preserving native or local languages. With that in mind, the current study investigated the effectiveness of polyglossia in Burkina Faso. Following that, this study stressed on how polyglossia can contribute to language maintenance and then how to promote it after all. To better assess the effectiveness of polyglossia in Burkina Faso, a research survey is designed (See appendix) and involved 163 people. The findings of the study have proven that polyglossia is effective to some extent in Burkina Faso for 33.7%. of people speak local languages at home and 56.4% use the official language, French, in formal situations. Yet some people do not even use their local languages at home. Instead, they solely use the official language. The study also revealed that 50% of people use both French and local languages in households. More interestingly, the current research has shown that some people use both French and English in formal contexts. This shows the importance of English, a foreign language, in the country. Fewer people even use French along local languages in some formal contexts. These findings associated with the literature review has helped this study affirm that polyglossia or diglossia can help preserve local languages as supported by Kobul (2016). Therefore, promoting a diglossic or polyglossic behavior in our societies would help maintain local languages. Thus, the government along with linguists and parents are important bodies to raise people awareness on the relevance and benefit of polyglossia for an effective and efficient language maintenance.