Originally published in 1969, this book examines the factors which at different historical periods led people to use one language (Swahili) rather than another, or within a given period, to use a particular language in one set of circumstances. The national language of Tanzania and much of East Africa, Swahili is unique among African languages in its verse literature, which dates back to the 18th Century and was written in the Arabic script. This book traces the remarkable expansion of Swahili, which was linked with the expansion of trace, missionary activities and the establishment of Colonial administrations and the development of education.

The social implications of multilingualism is a field of study on whcih systematic research began only in the second half of the 20th century in Africa. This book, originally published in 1971, contains papers which concentrate on East Africa but it also discusses theoretical problems and methods arising from socio-linguistic studies outside the African field. These include studies on national languages and languages of wider communication in developing nations; the communication role of languages in multilingual societies; and social and cognitive aspects of bilingualism.

Routledge is proud to be re-issuing this landmark series in association with the International African Institute. The series, published between 1950 and 1977, brings together a wealth of previously un-co-ordinated material on the ethnic groupings and social conditions of African peoples. Concise, critical and (for its time) accurate, the Ethnographic Survey contains sections as follows: Physical Environment Linguistic Data Demography History & Traditions of Origin Nomenclature Grouping Cultural Features: Religion, Witchcraft, Birth, Initiation, Burial Social & Political Organization: Kinship, Marriage, Inheritance, Slavery, Land Tenure, Warfare & Justice Economy & Trade Domestic Architecture Each of the 50 volumes will be available to buy individually, and these are organized into regional sub-groups: East Central Africa, North-Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Central Africa, Western Africa, and Central Africa Belgian Congo. The volumes are supplemented with maps, available to view on routledge.com or available as a pdf from the publishers.

The social implications of multilingualism is a field of study on whcih systematic research began only in the second half of the 20th century in Africa. This book, originally published in 1971, contains papers which concentrate on East Africa but it also discusses theoretical problems and methods arising from socio-linguistic studies outside the African field. These include studies on national languages and languages of wider communication in developing nations; the communication role of languages in multilingual societies; and social and cognitive aspects of bilingualism.