GLOBALIZATION AND THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: THE ROLE OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH

Abstract

This paper examines the role French and English Languages could play in the present efforts by West African States to come together for a more effective management of their human and material resources. To achieve this, the effects of globalization on Africa, the integration efforts of the West African Sub-region, and the obstacles language barriers are presenting are considered. Based on these, the need to orient French and (even) English Languages towards servicing areas of need as in Science and Technology, Information Technology, Law, Banking, Hotel and Tourism etc, is stressed. The paper also
recommends strategies for achieving effective integration in order to promote development at all levels of need within the Sub-region.