The emergence of French language in the Gambia : representations, promotion, challenges : Results of investigation conducted in Banjul and Brikama in 2010

Senegambia Confederation (1981-1989) results from the combination of two independent states of West Africa: Senegal and the Gambia to strengthen their unity based on their similarities : geography, languages, cultures … But this aim is quickly replaced by a concern. The Gambian people suspects his neighbor to hide the ambition to transform their country into a region of Senegal. The attendance of the Senegalese army in the Gambia after the attempted coup against President Dawda Jawara leads hostilities. Gambian nationalism appears in the literature, the media and political discourse. English and British traditions become symbols of identity in the Gambia. Simultaneously, French is perceived in a negative way, as a Senegalese language. The agreement between two countries is canceled in 1989. Since 1991, a new cooperation based on a friendship and partnership is born. Gradually, Gambian authorities promote the French language. Then, positive attitudes about French-speaking world are observed. This thesis analyze the Gambian representations of French: language, spaces and people. It will indicate steps and difficulties of the promotion. Our work will focus on the results of investigation conducted in Banjul and Brikama in 2010 in schools, at the university and some national and foreign agencies and national.

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Source https://theses.hal.science/tel-00808967
Author Paye, Ndèye Maty
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 11, 2026, 15:49 (UTC)
Created May 11, 2026, 15:49 (UTC)
Identifier NNT: 2012MON30050
Language fr
Rights https://about.hal.science/hal-authorisation-v1/
contributor Laboratoire de linguistique diachronique, de sociolinguistique et de didactique des langues (DIPRALANG) ; Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)
creator Paye, Ndèye Maty
date 2012-12-14T00:00:00
harvest_object_id 075097a3-e13e-4428-9b40-13d262b83dd0
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2026-03-31T00:00:00
set_spec type:THESE