Query about Research on Language Policy in Rwanda and Gabon

[Dick, Hilary]

Hello, Colleagues--

One of my Senior Thesis writers is working on a project on language policy
in Rwanda and Gabon--specifically the shift from French to English as the
official languages of politics, education, etc.

Do any of you know of work that is being done on language policy in these
countries or, if not those countries in particular, the region?

Here is how she describes her project, which is still in the early stages
of development, but--broadly--she will be looking at the intersection of
language policy, colonial legacies, and contemporary economic
development (BTW, I have already had her read Irvine & Gal on Linguistic
Differentiation):

*"I will research how and why the traditionally francophone states of
Rwanda and Gabon are shifting away from the use of the French language and
towards an implementation of English-language policies and practices.  More
broadly, I will analyze the implications this shift has for the influence
of France and la Francophonie in Africa.*"

This student is intellectually gifted, and intellectually ambitious, so she
would be willing and able to read work that is challenging for
undergraduates.

Thanks so much for your help!

Best,
Hilary Dick

-- 
HILARY PARSONS DICK, PhD
Assistant Professor of International Studies
Department of Historical and Political Studies
* Arcadia University*
<http://www.arcadia.edu/faculty/hilary-parsons-dick/>
<dickh at arcadia.edu>