Gaps in sociolinguistic research in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Abstract In the mid-1960s, a catchphrase in academic circles was, « Des chercheurs qui cherchent, on en trouve; mais des chercheurs qui trouvent, on en cherche », pointing out that many researchers were “Chindōgu researchers”, that is to say researchers engaging in “useless” research, rather than coming up with actionable research findings. Along the same lines, this paper sets out to offer an analytical perspective on sociolinguistic research output and focus in sub-Saharan Africa and suggest a number of sociolinguistic research priorities.