Language and Power: Cameroon’s Story

By Elisa Grant, 2 Oct 2017

In the modern world, being able to speak English is often a way to get power. However, this is not true for English speakers in Cameroon. To know why things are different in this African country, we need to go back one hundred years.

In 1919, Kamerun (the name of Cameroon at the time) was cut into two parts: one belonged to France, and the other belonged to the UK. In 1960, the French Cameroon became the Republic of Cameroun, and the UK’s part joined it in 1961. The new country changed its name to the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Although both French and English are Cameroon’s official languages, only around 20% of its people speak English. Also, the government has been in French speakers’ hands since the two parts became one country.

For a long time, Cameroon’s English speakers have felt they are not welcome in their own country. For example, it is very difficult for them to find jobs in the government, and they are often asked to speak French in business and at official events. They have become more resentful at the government and decided to fight for themselves. Since last year, the English speakers have tried to build their own country. Yesterday, they said in a public meeting that they were not part of Cameroon anymore. They are now a new country, “Ambazonia.” When the police tried to stop the meeting, at least eight people were killed.

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