New Perspectives on Linguistic Biographies

How does language shape our lives—from childhood to old age, between home and migration?

This innovative issue of Frankfurter Afrikanistische Blätter examines how people tell, remember, and shape their linguistic experiences. It reveals how language ideologies play a key role in biographical research—particularly in the choices speakers make about language learning and their preferred learning strategies. While the compelling case studies focus on individuals in Africa and the African diaspora in Europe, their scope is not limited to these contexts. The book offers unique insights into individual multilingualism, identity, and the emotional value of language.