Delirium wrote:
A non-paternalistic attitude would be to treat African
languages like we
treat all other languages. Even though quite a few Westerners are
interested in the subject of spreading information in China, for
example, the Chinese-language projects have been run by Chinese speakers.
Ok. But that's because there *is* a Chinese community, quite healthy
and active.
It is a bit harder when, 5 years on, we seen little signs of life, and
some good ideas about why we don't see signs of life. In such cases, I
think it is not paternalistic to think about how we can proactively help
to create a community there. A community, I hasten to add, of native
speakers.
--Jimbo