Universität zu Köln

Lorenz, Steffen (2019). Living with Language. An Exploration of Linguistic Practices and Language Attitudes in Gulu, Northern Uganda. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

This thesis discusses the positions of languages within various language ecologies of Gulu, Northern Uganda. The research employs a multi-methodical approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse ideologies and attitudes held towards locally relevant languages and their use in social practices. It includes ethnographic explorations of linguistic landscapes and social groups, the analysis of social networks, as well as the discussion of individual attitudes using direct methods. This dissertation shows the outcomes of economic and cultural globalisation, migration and urbanisation through the lens of language, using a highly empirical approach. Beyond showing individual attitudes towards many of the countries' most spoken languages, it demonstrates how local, national and global discourses and developments aided the spread of English as the main lingua franca in a region that previously was considered a hotbed of Kiswahili in Uganda. The thesis also provides a critical commentary on current approaches to language in society and the conceptualisation of language ecologies.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Lorenz, Steffen steffenlorenz83@gmail.com UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-98553
Date:	2019
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Afrikanistik und Ägyptologie
Subjects:	Social sciences Customs, etiquette, folklore Language, Linguistics Other languages
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Uganda English Language Ecology English Language Attitudes English Linguistic Anthropology English Linguistic Landscapes English Gulu English Acholi English World Englishes English
Date of oral exam:	16 July 2018
Referee:	Name Academic Title Dimmendaal, Gerrit J. Prof. Dr. Storch, Anne Prof. Dr. Widlok, Thomas Prof. Dr.
Funders:	Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/9855