H. Ekkehard Wolff

Hausa is the most widely known Chadic language, spoken by some 80 million people or more. It’s harder to grasp the history of other, unwritten Chadic languages. Irene Becker/Contributor/Getty Images

November 10, 2021

How I reconstructed an unwritten ancient African language

H. Ekkehard Wolff, University of Leipzig

Reconstructed vocabulary sheds light on cultural items and people’s habitats, including the spread of ideas and the importance of certain concepts.

Learning in their mother tongue facilitates children’s ability to learn another language. Cecil Bo Dzwowa/Shutterstock/Editorial use only

April 28, 2019

Five ways indigenous languages can be championed for learners

H. Ekkehard Wolff, University of Leipzig

The International Year of Indigenous Languages serves as a good impetus to start implementing policies that prioritises Africa’s own languages.

There’s no reason Africa shouldn’t be at the centre of global knowledge production. Shutterstock

February 21, 2018

Lessons from the Reformation could help spur Africa’s linguistic revolution

H. Ekkehard Wolff, University of Leipzig

Africa’s current situation has a parallel in European history - the Reformation and the changes it wrought in terms of language exceptionalism.

Africa’s massive variety of languages should be celebrated and used in tertiary education. Shutterstock

February 7, 2018

How the continent’s languages can unlock the potential of young Africans

H. Ekkehard Wolff, University of Leipzig

Africa needs a new strategy for mother-tongue based bilingual education, from primary through to tertiary level.

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How I reconstructed an unwritten ancient African language

Five ways indigenous languages can be championed for learners

Lessons from the Reformation could help spur Africa’s linguistic revolution

How the continent’s languages can unlock the potential of young Africans

Contact H. for