ABSTRACT
This introductory chapter aims to: generally define language policy, planning and implementation, discuss language policy and planning in relation to Africa, create an understanding of the differences between standard, national and official languages and provide comparative examples of language policy and planning from different parts of Africa by focusing on Morocco, Senegal, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. In the Ukraine, there is an attempt to reinforce Ukrainian identity through language as separate from Russia and the Russian language itself. Language policy is divided into language practice, language attitude and language planning. Language is by its very nature political. It can be used in a politically emotive manner. Some African nations are endoglossic in approach, while others are exoglossic. In 1987, the Organisation of African Unity’s, now the African Union Council of Ministers’ Forty-Sixth ordinary session was held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The standard languages are normally empowered languages.
