The global and the local with a focus on Africa

Among those characteristics shared by all human groups, language is ranked very high. When referring to the informal use of language, we often use the label "talk." Through various genres and forms of talk, people share their interpretation of events and experiences, public and private. Each social/cultural group labels these varieties of talk with its own terms, but certainly narrative is one of the most prominent forms that occupies a position of great significance around the globe

Winning an Election with Performance: Crossing Thresholds in Ghana

Os políticos em Gana regozijam-se chamando uns aos outros de “canalhas perversos” (wicked rascals) e frequentemente se envolvem em ataques e contra-ataques, a chamada “política do pingue-pongue”. Valendo-se do poder da performance, em 2008, um político com boa educação formal recorreu a uma estratégia inovadora na campanha eleitoral: conjurou uma maldição, insinuando que o partido rival havia feito acusações falsas contra o seu partido. Fazendo uso da mídia moderna, ele persuadiu os eleitores e seu partido saiu vitorioso. Este artigo explora o elevado valor atribuído à performance na cultura asante e o papel da maldição na sociedade. Argumenta-se que a performance serve como força dinâmica para a interação social e política, possibilitando transpor limiares na prática e revelar contradições por meio da performance de rituais.Politicians in Ghana relish calling each other “wicked rascals,” and frequently engage in attacks and counter attacks, labeled “ping pong politics.” Utilizing the power of performance, in 2008, one well -educated politician employed an innovative strategy in the election campaign. He invoked a curse implying the opposition party was guilty of false accusations against his party. Using the modern media he persuaded the voters, and his party was victorious. The paper explores the high value placed on performance in Asante culture and the role of curse in the society. It argues that performance serves as the dynamic force for social and political interaction, making it possible to cross thresholds in practice and to reveal contradictions through the performance of ritual

Language endangerment and language documentation in Africa

Non peer reviewe

The global and the local with a focus on Africa (Chinese)

Among those characteristics shared by all human groups, language is ranked very high. When referring to the informal use of language, we often use the label "talk." Through various genres and forms of talk, people share their interpretation of events and experiences, public and private. Each social/cultural group labels these varieties of talk with its own terms, but certainly narrative is one of the most prominent forms that occupies a position of great significance around the globe