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<p class=MsoNormal>I am exploring the field of economics of language in
relation to some other research and wondered if there is anyone working in this
area with regard to Africa. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>In the mid-90s François Grin (1994:26) provided what I find
to be a very helpful stocktaking of the field at the time (he cites more
extensive bibliographic reviews including one of his own that I haven't yet
accessed). At that time, Grin described economics of language as being
tolerated "as an intriguing fringe interest" within the discipline of
economics. A few years later, Donald Lamberton (2002:xi) wrote that "the
economics of language has been neglected and deserves much greater
attention." Nevertheless it does seem that this field has been getting a
bit more attention in recent years. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On the other hand, I have not had much luck with finding
discussion of economics of language in Africa, or of economics of African
languages. I did come across an article by David Laitin (1993) using game
theory to discuss language choice in various contexts in Ghana (and other
areas). I suspect there may be more material treating one aspect or another of
economics of language in Africa, so would appreciate any pointers or contacts
on the subject.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>It seems to me that this field has some significant
contributions to make to discussions of language policy and planning in Africa
(which some sources also consider to be neglected). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Thank you in advance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Citations and other sources:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Breton, Albert, ed. 2000. Exploring the Economics of
Language. Ottawa: Official Languages Support Program, Canadian Heritage.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/lo-ol/perspectives/english/explorer/index.html<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Chiswick, Barry R., and Paul W. Miller. 2007. The Economics
of Language: International Analyses. Routledge.
http://www.routledgelanguages.com/books/The-Economics-of-Language-isbn9780415771818<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Grin, François. 1994. "The Economics of Language: Match
or Mismatch?" International Political Science Review 15(1): 25-42
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1601229<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Grin, François, and François Vaillancourt. n.d. "The
Economics of Multilingualism: Overview of the Literature and Analytical
Framework" http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/library12/grin.htm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Lamberton, Donald M., ed. 2002. The Economics of Language. <span
lang=PT>Cheltenham, UK: E. Elgar Pub.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=PT><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Laitin, David. 1993. "The Game Theory of Language
Regimes." International Political Science Review 14(3): 227-239.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(NB- I put up a stub article on this topic on Wikipedia at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics_of_language )<o:p></o:p></p>
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