ABSTRACT
The transformation of traditional African societies into modern nations requires recognition of the linguistic problem which can be solved only within a multilingualism that will ensure the promotion of national-popular African languages. A national consciousness through a common language, culture, and history, and a common socio-economic progress is possible in Africa and is already being realized in some states of North, Southern, and East Africa. The main drawback, however, is the arbitrary outline of frontiers drawn by colonizers and the ethnic division which results in linguistic balkanization. If an African oral language is to attain the rank of a written language, of a national language, it is essential that it should be open to change in order to allow for the translation and expression of modern concepts. But African languages have a traditional, archaic 'view of the world'.
