The first international colloquium of the Cameroon Association of Linguistics (CAL), organized inpartnership with the Department of African Linguistics, Literature and Civilizations of the Universityof Douala, will explore the current challenges of African linguistic diversity, while highlighting innovative practices and theoretical advances aimed at its protection and promotion. 

1st International Conference Of the Cameroon Association of Linguistics (CAL) in Collaboration with the Department of Linguistics, Literature and African Civilizations of the University of Douala

Hosted by the University of Douala (UDLA), Douala, Cameroon 10th - 12th September 2025

Background

Africa, the cradle of a multitude of cultures and languages, stands out for the richness and diversity of its linguistic heritage. With over 2,000 spoken languages (Eberhard et al., 2022), the continent is a veritable linguistic kaleidoscope, where each language carries with it the history, traditions and world views of a particular human group. However, this linguistic mosaic faces complex challenges that jeopardize the survival and enhancement of many languages. Despite the considerable efforts made over the last few decades to document and describe African languages, the task remains a major challenge. Documentation projects have created valuable resources such as dictionaries, grammars and corpora, but these works still cover a limited fraction of the continent's linguistic diversity. Many African languages remain under-documented (Heine and Nurse, 2000), sometimes with significant gaps in their phonological, morphological and syntactic description. What's more, the development of writing systems remains a major challenge for African integration (Mba, 2022).

Beyond the question of codifying African languages, integrating them into education systems remains a real challenge. Indeed, although African languages are recognized for their cultural and identity value, they remain, for the most part, marginalized in the educational curriculum, and do not receive the resources they need to develop and adapt to contemporary needs. Language policies are timid and struggle to effectively articulate the choice of African languages to be taught in the face of Western languages inherited from colonization. Added to this is the lack of recognition and integration of these languages in development projects in Africa, which represents a major challenge for many populations struggling to break free from the communication barriers that result. This linguistic exclusion, due to the fact that African languages are often perceived as less prestigious or congenitally unsuited to the globalized context (Diki-Kidiri, 2013), weakens access to information and public services, and also hinders the active participation of many communities in the decision-making processes that concern them. In addition, migration flows to the West exacerbate the abandonment of African languages in favour of dominant ones. Members of the African diaspora, seeking to integrate into their host societies, tend to favour the languages of the West.

It would be wise to adopt innovative practices that promote the preservation and enhancement of African languages in a rapidly changing world. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, for example, can play a crucial role in the documentation, codification and teaching of African languages, offering unprecedented opportunities to preserve and revitalize this endangered linguistic wealth (Konan, 2024). Thanks to automatic natural language processing tools, it is now possible to create adapted linguistic resources, such as dictionaries, grammars and digital corpora, which facilitate the learning and transmission of these languages. AI also makes it possible to analyse and model complex linguistic structures, contributing to a better understanding and more accurate documentation of African languages, which are generally under-represented. Furthermore, the effective integration of these technologies into education could promote interactive and accessible learning, making African languages more attractive to younger generations and reinforcing their cultural and identity value, well beyond the borders of the African continent alone.

In-depth exploration of theoretical advances is also essential to support the vitality and sustainable development of African languages in a diverse global context. There are clearly new heuristic models for designing policies and practices that address the specific needs of endangered languages and their communities. For example, linguistics for development or sociolinguistics of development (Djité, 2008; Tourneux, 2009; Métangmo-Tatou, 2019; Agresti, 2022, Manifi, 2024; etc.), an innovative trend within the language sciences, offers promising avenues for questioning the issues of linguistic and cultural diversity in the context of development. Linguistic decolonization is also emerging as an essential current in today's academic and socio-cultural landscape, inviting us to reconsider the power dynamics surrounding languages in a post-colonial context. Exploring this field of research would help us better understand how languages can become vectors of emancipation and even resistance. Research in psycholinguistics, too, can offer valuable insights into how languages are acquired, used and preserved. By integrating experimental and theoretical approaches, psycholinguistic researchers can study how individuals navigate between different languages and how these dynamics influence their cognition and identity. So to speak, all emerging theoretical approaches that provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which languages are maintained or lost, as well as strategies of resistance in the face of linguistic dominance, deserve careful scrutiny.

However, the study of African linguistic diversity should not be limited to the theoretical and analytical perspectives offered strictly by linguistics. It would also benefit from integrating the literary dimensions that enrich our understanding of languages and their uses. Indeed, literature holds up a mirror to the socio-cultural and historical realities of linguistic communities, enabling us to explore the nuances and dynamics of African languages in their living context. Literary works, whether oral or written in local or colonial languages, offer fertile ground for examining how cultural identities are constructed and negotiated through language. What's more, they enable us to highlight innovative practices for preserving and enhancing languages, by incorporating narratives that bear witness to linguistic hybridity and intercultural interactions. In this sense, literature is more than a mere reflection of linguistic structures; it becomes an essential vector for understanding the contemporary challenges facing African languages, and for envisaging creative solutions to their preservation. Integrating literature into this symposium would enrich the debates and open up new avenues for understanding the rich linguistic diversity of the African continent.

The first international colloquium of the Cameroon Association of Linguistics (CAL), organized in partnership with the Department of African Linguistics, Literature and Civilizations of the University of Douala, will explore the current challenges of African linguistic diversity, while highlighting innovative practices and theoretical advances aimed at its protection and promotion. Paper proposals will be aligned with the following thematic axes, which are not intended to be restrictive:

Area 1: Documentation and description of African languages

• Linguistic description
• Development of writing systems
• Creation of linguistic resources (grammars, dictionaries, corpora, etc.)
• Lexicology, terminology, translation.)
• Lexicology, terminology, translation.

Axis 2: African languages and education

• (Bi-)multilingual teaching approaches
• Development of teaching materials and educational resources
• Non-formal education and literacy

Axis 3: Linguistics and development in Africa

• Evaluation of language policies
• African languages and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Linguistics for development
• Linguistic decolonization

Axis 4: Sociolinguistic dynamics and the (re-)vitalization of African languages

• Social attitudes and representations towards African languages
• Discourse analysis and pragmatics in/of African languages
• African languages in the public sphere and the media
• The African diaspora and linguistic issues

Axis 5: Digital technologies, artificial intelligence and African languages

• Digital learning environment for African languages - Artificial intelligence and computational linguistics
• Development of translation technologies and multilingual applications

Axis 6: Linguistic diversity and cognition

• Language acquisition in multilingual contexts
• Bilingualism, multilingualism and neurocognitive effects
• Linguistic stigmatization and psychological effects

Axis 7: Linguistic diversity and literature

• Literature and linguistic resilience: The challenges of literary hybridity 
• Oral literature and the transmission of cultural values inherent in languages
• Literary policies and the dissemination of literary works in African languages

Submission guidelines

All submission procedures are by email attachments.

The email title should be “First CAL Conference 2025”.

The file name (attached abstract) should be: Surname_First_Name_Intial(s)_CAL_CONF_1-25

E.g.: Achidi_N_B_CAL_CONF_1-25.

Contributions should be sent simultaneously to the following two addresses: colloqueacl@gmail.com and maxmanifi@yahoo.fr 

• Abstracts for lectures and posters (min. 250 and max. 400 words) should be submitted in English or French before 30 March 2025 following the format: Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced. They should include: the title of the paper/poster, the surname(s) and first name(s) of the author(s), the home institution, an abstract of 400 words maximum, 3 to 6 keywords, and a short bibliography of 5 references maximum (not included in the total number of words of the abstract. 
• Oral presentations are for (nearly) completed research, for which 30-minute slots will be available (including discussion time and time for moving between sessions).
• Posters are suitable for work in progress and/or work that requires personal feedback, and these will be up for the duration of the conference. During one of the conference days, there is a poster period during which all other conference activities are blocked so that attention goes exclusively to looking at and discussing posters.
• No one can be considered for more than one contribution of which they are the first author (whether lectures or posters). Anyone may be involved in a second or even a third paper if someone else is the first author and will be present at the conference as well.
• Proceedings will be published in the first edition of JOCAL.
• In the formulation of your abstract, please make sure to avoid non-inclusive language.

Important dates

• Publication of the call: December 22nd, 2024

• Deadline for submission of abstracts: March 30th, 2025

• Notification of acceptance to authors: April 30th, 2025
• Date of the conference: September 10th to 12th, 2025

Registration fees

• Lecturers: 40. 000 FCFA (61 euros)
• Students: 15,000 FCFA (23 euros)
• CAL members
• Lecturers: 20.000 (30 euros)
• Students: 10,000 FCFA (16 euros)

Registration fees will cover colloquium materials, catering (coffee breaks and lunches) and certificates of participation.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. However, the organizing committee will facilitate accommodation arrangements with its hotel partners for those who so wish.

Excursion

In addition to the colloquium activities, an excursion to Limbe, Douala's neighbouring city, is planned for September 13th, 2025, for participants wishing to deepen their local experience (by visiting the zoo, botanical garden and beach of this city) at 8000frs for transportation and lunch).

We remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. Please contact the organising committee at colloqueacl@gmail.com and maxmanifi@yahoo.fr

Organizing committee

• Prof. Martha Njui MBU (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Yvette Balana (University of Douala)
• Prof. Gratien Atindogbe (University of Buea)
• Prof. Michael Apuge Etuge (University of Buea)
• Prof. Maxime Yves Julien Manifi Abouh (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Florence Tabe Oben (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Esther Phubon Chie (University of Bamenda)
• Prof. Magdaline Bakume Nkongho (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Adam Mahamat (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Neba Ayu’nwi (University of Buea)
• Prof. Abraham Wega Simeu (University of Bamenda)
• Dr Madeleine Ngo ndjeyiha (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Dr Ibirahim Njoya (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Dr Théodore Bebey (University of Maroua)
• Dr Hugues Carlos Ngueche Fotso (University of Bamenda)
• Dr Gabriel Djomeni (University of Dschang)
• Dr Constantine Kouankem (University of Bertoua)
• Dr Edmond Ossoko (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Dr Ninon Wokwenmenda Nkouo (University of Douala)
• Dr Francine Mogouo (University of Buea)
• Dr Élisabeth Abang (University of Douala)
• Dr Vivian Nkongmenec (University of Douala)
• Dr Rodolphe Maah (University of Douala)
• Dr Louis Marcel Ambata (University of Douala)
• Dr Jean Arnauld Libong (University of Douala)
• Dr Madeleine Sike Moukoudi (University of Douala)
• M. Fabien Liboth (Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy.    (CABTAL)

Scientific Committee 

• Prof. Sammy Beban Chumbow (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Jean-Marie Essono (university of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Zachée Denis Bitjaa Kody (University of Yaoundé 1/CICIBA, Gabon)
• Prof. Edmond Biloa (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Gabriel Mba (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Etienne Sadembouo (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Constantine Yuka (University of Benin)
• Prof. Dr Roland Kiessling (University of Hamburg)
• Prof. Marcel Diki-Kidiri (African Academy of Languages, Bamako)  
• Prof. Jules Assoumou (University of Douala)
• Prof. Florence Tabe Oben (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Julia Ndibnu Messina (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Jean Romain Kouesso (University of Dschang)
• Prof. Gratien Atindogbe (University of Buea)
• Prof. Blasius Agha-ah Chiatoh (University of Buea)
• Prof. Marie Anne Boum Ndongo Semengue (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Esther Phubon Chie Chie (University of Bamenda)
• Prof. Magdaline Bakume Nkongho (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Adam Mahamat (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Michael Apuge Etuge (University of Buea)
• Prof. Clédor Nseme (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Emmanuel Ngue Um (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Martha Njui Mbu (University of Maroua)
• Prof. Venant Eloundou (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Maxime Yves Julien Manifi Abouh (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Gratiana Linyor Ndamsah (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Prasidis Wainkem Nain (University of Yaoundé 1)
• Prof. Emmanuel-Moselly Makasso (MINRESI-CNE, Cameroun)

References

Agresti, G. (2022). Une linguistique pour le développement social. In J-P. Zouogbo (Ed.), Linguistique pour le Développement. Concepts, contextes et empiries (pp. 31-46). Éditions des archives contemporaines, Coll. « InterCulturel». https://doi.org/10.17184/eac.5355 

Diki-Kidiri, M. (2013). Quand les langues africaines ont le français comme langue partenaire… In M. Ngalasso-Mwatha (éd.), Le français et les langues partenaires : convivialité et compétitivité - Études africaines et créoles, n°6 (33-43). Presses universitaires de Bordeaux.

Djité, P. (2008). The Sociolinguistics of Development. Multilingual matters.

Eberhard, D. M., Simons G. F. & Fennig C. D. (2022). Ethnologue: Languages of Africa and Europe.

Twenty-Fifth edition. SIL International.

Heine, B. & Nurse, D. (eds.) (2000). Les langues africaines. CUP.

Konan Groguhe, A. (2024). « L’Intelligence artificielle : de la disparité dans la promotion des langues », Communication, technologies et développement [En ligne], 15 | 2024, mis en ligne le 29 juin 2024, consulté le 15 aout 2024. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/ctd/11225; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/123iv    

Manifi Abouh, M. Y. J. (2024). La linguistique pour le développement par la terminologie et la traduction : avec une expérience heuristique dans le domaine agricole en yambeta. Observatoire européen du Plurilinguisme.

Mba, G. (2022). Des langues et de l’ingénierie des orthographies. In J. R. Kouesso and G. Mba (Eds), Designing orthographies for African languages: lessons and challenges from experiencies of Burkina Faso and Cameroon (21-25). Lincom Europa.

Métangmo-Tatou, L. (2019). Pour une linguistique du développe-ment. Essai d’épistémologie sur l’émergence d’un nouveau para-digme en sciences du langage. Éditions science et bien commun. http://editionssciencesetbiencommun.org 

Tourneux, H. (2009). Linguistique et développement. Et si, pour sortir du malentendu, le dialogue interculturel avait besoin d’un nouvel outil ?. La Grande Oreille : La revue des arts de la parole, D’une Parole à l’Autre (39), 39-41. https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00458652