Language Reclamation

Language Reclamation explores the teaching of Kweyol, an Afro-French creole, in the Eastern Caribbean, and in classes in London where the author has been both student and tutor. A description of language in the Caribbean and the Kweyol speech community in the UK provides a backdrop for a discussion of the origins and development of the classes. Attention is focused on reasons why students attend the classes, looking not only at the opportunities which are offered for improving language and literacy skills, but at the social benefits and at the ways in which feelings of pride and cultural identity are reinforced. The author explores resources supporting written Kweyol and looks in detail at issues such as language standardisation, the development of the Kweyol writing system and the production of materials such as dictionaries and grammars to support the teaching of the language in both the Caribbean and the UK. The book also considers questions of assessment and accreditation, including the purpose of assessment; the different forms of language assessment schemes that are in use; and the reasons why some students attending the Kweyol classes wish to be accredited for their learning. Language Reclamation underlines the central role which Kweyol language and culture play in defining students' identity and points to the wide range of challenges involved in the teaching of the language.