Research Articles

Literacy use and acquisition in multilingual Eritrea

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Abstract

This study investigates literacy acquisition and use in different scripts in multilingual Eritrea, a Horn of Africa country. The research problem is approached from two major angles: the social use of literacy and the classroom acquisition of literacy which in turn includes assessment of literacy instructions, literacy skills and literacy learning processes. The social use of written language and the values attached to literacy and different scripts influence decisions in the acquisition of literacy and the functions assigned to it (Herbert and Robinson 2001). In smaller language communities, there is relatively lower motivation to learn to read and write in a language with limited reach and national status (Hailemariam 2002). Our research tries to compare social use and acquisition in multiple languages and scripts in the context of a complex language and script landscape in Eritrea.

Keywords: Eritrea, Africa, literacy, social use, classroom acquisition, instruction, skills, learning processes, cultural context

How to Cite:

Asfaha, Y., Kurvers, J. & Kroon, S., (2007) “Literacy use and acquisition in multilingual Eritrea”, Language Documentation and Description 4, 195-206. doi: https://doi.org/10.25894/ldd268