Gabonese Language Landscape: Survey and perspectives

Abstract

Several authors have described the language situation of Gabon with regard mainly to native languages, as one of language diversity. In this article, we portray this language situation with regard to both foreign and native languages, and introduce the concept of a Gabonese Language Landscape, which we contrast with a concept of a language situation. The concept is introduced in comparison to that of a language situation. Based on observations, we present an inventory of both foreign and native languages in an attempt to display the language situation of Gabon in a realistic way. The article also examines the status of the various languages used in Gabon as well as Gabon's language policy.