Thank you for this information. I will pass this on. After all the research that has shown how important first languages are for education, it would be a shame if Southern Sudan opted for an English-only instruction policy. There are several reasons that multilingual African countries have opted for monolingual (Europhone) language of education policies, but some of them are contested while others relating to resources for materials etc. are ones that donors and NGOs are involved in one way or another. In any event, the cost of educating all children only in a second language is probably quite high in the long term - both for individuals and for development of their societies.
Don Osborn Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: Harold Schiffman <hfsc...@gmail.com> Sender: lgpolicy-list-boun...@groups.sas.upenn.edu Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 15:35:25 To: lp<lgpolicy-l...@groups.sas.upenn.edu> Reply-To: Language Policy List <lgpolicy-l...@groups.sas.upenn.edu> Subject: [lg policy] South Sudan Constitution language policy South Sudan Constitution language policy Written/Submitted by Dr. Leoma Gilley Wednesday, 25 May 2011 00:00 Dear Friends, It seems that the weakening of the local language policy in the new SS constitution is of considerable concern for many language communities. You are people in positions to do something about this, if something needs to change. That is your best judgment. I just wanted to make you aware of my concern on your behalf. "Language 6. (1) All indigenous languages of South Sudan are national languages and shall be respected, developed and promoted. (2) English shall be the official working language in the Republic of South Sudan, as well as the language of instruction at all levels of education. (3) The State shall promote the development of a sign language for the benefit of people with special needs." This is significantly weaker than the current interim SS constitution which explicitly allows for use of national languages in education. See below: "(1) All indigenous languages of Southern Sudan are national languages and shall be respected, developed and promoted. (2) English and Arabic shall be the official working languages at the level of the governments of Southern Sudan and the States as well as languages of instruction for higher education. (3) There shall be no discrimination against the use of either English or Arabic at any level of government or stage of education. (4) Without prejudice to sub-Article (3) above, and for practical considerations, English shall be the principal working language of government business in Southern Sudan. (5) In addition to English and Arabic, the legislature of any sub- level of government in Southern Sudan may adopt any other national language as an additional official working language or medium of instruction in schools at its level. (6) The Government of Southern Sudan shall promote the development of a sign language for the benefit of people with special needs." Leoma Gilley, PhD Linguistic Consultant http://www.pachodo.org/201105252129/Pachodo.org-English-Articles/south-sudan-constitution-language-policy.html -- ************************************** N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator) For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/ listinfo/lgpolicy-list ******************************************* _______________________________________________ This message came to you by way of the lgpolicy-list mailing list lgpolicy-l...@groups.sas.upenn.edu To manage your subscription unsubscribe, or arrange digest format: https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/lgpolicy-list ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: africanlanguages-dig...@yahoogroups.com africanlanguages-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: africanlanguages-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/