Seguimiento de actividades realizadas y

3.1 English and Commerce in West Africa

There cannot be a better language for the role of entrepreneurial activities in West Africa (Anglophone West Africa) than the English Language. The English Language is an internationally acclaimed language the world over and it is spoken in many continents, including sub-regions in the world. It is spoken by citizens of some super power countries and, in fact, it is the official language of many of these countries. Any country or

sub-region that intends to transact business with some of these super-powers should learn and speak their language. In the words of Crystal (1995),

The USA dominant economic position acts as a magnet for international business and trade, and organizations wishing to develop international markets are thus under considerable pressure to work with English. The tourist and advertising industries will wish to establish officers in the major English- speaking countries (p. 106).

From the above, we see that English, being an international language, cannot be wished away by the West Africa sub-region. It is one language that this developing sub-region needs to come to international commercial limelight, or else, the region will remain in international commercial doldrums, and this will be dangerous and counterproductive.

The English language has become an international language that should be embraced by serious-minded regions.

Commercial and commercial activities are the bedrock of any meaningful growth in a region and that is why the West Africa region is looking up to the English language.

We can thereby conclude this section by saying that English is gradually becoming the language of commerce in this region.

Self-Assessment Exercises

1. Explain the role English plays in the development of commerce in West Africa.

2. Will West Africa survive without the English language?

3.2 Negotiation

This can be said to be any discussion which is aimed at reaching an agreement. In this case, we use „negotiation‟ to refer to any form of discussion which is aimed at reaching an agreement in price in buying and selling. Negotiation is an important factor as it determines who eventually gets what and at what rate. If we say that English is gradually becoming the language of commerce in West Africa, then English is the language needed in business negotiation. This is so because negotiation is an aspect of commerce. There cannot be a successful commercial transaction if the parties do not negotiate.

Another important point here is that West African countries are developing nations; they look up to many European countries, including the United States of America, for

direction in commercial activities. It then becomes pertinent to speak the language spoken

English is the language of international air traffic control and is currently developing its role in international maritime, policing and emergency services. It is the Chief language of international business and academic conferences, and the leading language of international tourism.

If the above is true about English then West African region is in safe hands with the English Language serving as its representative international negotiations.

3.3 Advertising

English is the language mostly used in advertising. Advertisements created to sensitize the people about a particular product are done in the English language. Bill board messages, fliers, hand bills, jingles and other forms of advertisements are done in English. From Nigeria, through Ghana to Sierra Leone and other Anglophone West Africa, we see the impact of the English Language. Crystal (1995:106) also supports this in the following quotation:

English is the main language of popular culture and its associated advertising. It is also the main language of satellite broadcasting, home computers, and video games, as well as of such international illegal activities as pornography and drugs.

It follows that a developing region like West Africa needs an international language in the calibre of the English language to come to limelight so as to be seen and heard well in international business meetings that involve great nations of the world.

Self-Assessment Exercises

1. What have been the contributions of English to the development of advertising in West Africa?

4.0 CONCLUSION

Thus far, we have demonstrated that the English language is important in commercial activities in West Africa. However, despite its importance, other West African languages are always there to give it their support when commercial activities are to be localized.

That is, indigenous languages are used in local business transactions and English is used for international business transaction.

5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit, we have demonstrated that commercial activities, negotiations and advertising, being three related agents of development in West Africa, are expectedly conducted in most West African countries using the English Language. This is so because English has an international appeal and its status spreads across most developed countries of the world.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. Why is English needed in West African Commerce?

2. What role does English play in negotiation in West Africa?

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Awonusi, V.O. (2004). “The Functions of Nigerian English in Relation to other Nigeria Languages.” A.B.K Dadzie and S. Awonusi (eds.) Nigerian English – influences and characteristics. Lagos: Sam Iroannsi Publications.

Crystal, D. (1995). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of English Language. New York:

Cambridge University Press.

UNIT 4 English and Migration in West Africa 1.0 Introduction

2.0 Objectives 3.0 Main Content

3.1 What is Migration?

3.2 Factors responsible for Migration

3.3 The Role of English in Migration in West Africa 4.0 Conclusion

5.0 Summary

6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment 7.0 References/Further Reading 1.0 INTRODUCTION

The movement of people across different geographical boundaries is certainly not a new phenomenon. Mobility has always been an important feature of people‟s lives, whether as part of nomadic life, the transhumance, or itinerant trade or agriculture. In recent years, migration has come to the top of the political and social agenda all over the globe and, particularly, across all of Africa. It has therefore necessitated regional integration initiatives that have led to the development of frameworks, legislation, and mechanisms for increased economic and social integration among concerned states. The West African sub-region has always been characterised by strong migratory dynamics due to prevailing labour market and political conditions. Labour mobility and market integration have been explicitly addressed in the context of the regional integration process of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UMEOA). However, an interesting feature of these movements is the fact that as people move from one environment to another, they carry their language with them. This raises some questions; what happens to their language as a result of migration? How do they cope with the language of this new environment?

2.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to

 define the concept of migration

 state the factors that contribute to migratory activities in West Africa.

 explain the role of the English language in the movement of persons in the English-speaking territories of West Africa.

3.0 MAIN CONTENT