English in the multilingual ecologies of Botswana
2025 – 2029, funded by the German Research Foundation
This project examines the role of English within the multilingual ecologies of Botswana. It is part of a research unit funded by the German Research Foundation (2025–2029; FOR 5728), titled "Convergence on Dominant Language Constellations: World Englishes in their local multilingual ecologies" (CODILAC). The Research Unit encompasses seven projects, each investigating one multilingual world region: Botswana, Cebu City (the Philippines), Cyprus, Kurdistan Region (Iraq), Lagos (Nigeria), North-East India, and Tanzania.
In this project, we investigate the role of English in Botswana, focusing on its status, functions, and societal attitudes within the country's multilingual ecologies. English, the de facto official language, is predominantly used by a small, educated urban elite, while Setswana, the de facto national language, is widely spoken as a first language and learned by most other citizens as a second language. English provides opportunities for social and economic mobility, whereas Setswana fosters national unity and social cohesion.
In addition, dozens of minority languages are largely confined to home use, with minimal presence in public domains. The study expands on previous research which focused on the educated elite in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, by incorporating participants from various social backgrounds across three urban centres: Gaborone, Maun, and Ghanzi.
Through sociolinguistic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, the project examines language use, ideologies, and attitudes, culminating in the creation of a digital corpus of "Botswana English". The project aims to document Botswana's multilingual ecology and contribute to discussions on language dynamics in diverse multilingual settings.
This project examines the role of English within the multilingual ecologies of Botswana. It is part of a research unit funded by the German Research Foundation (2025–2029; FOR 5728), titled "Convergence on Dominant Language Constellations: World Englishes in their local multilingual ecologies" (CODILAC). The Research Unit encompasses seven projects, each investigating one multilingual world region: Botswana, Cebu City (the Philippines), Cyprus, Kurdistan Region (Iraq), Lagos (Nigeria), North-East India, and Tanzania.
In this project, we investigate the role of English in Botswana, focusing on its status, functions, and societal attitudes within the country's multilingual ecologies. English, the de facto official language, is predominantly used by a small, educated urban elite, while Setswana, the de facto national language, is widely spoken as a first language and learned by most other citizens as a second language. English provides opportunities for social and economic mobility, whereas Setswana fosters national unity and social cohesion.
In addition, dozens of minority languages are largely confined to home use, with minimal presence in public domains. The study expands on previous research which focused on the educated elite in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, by incorporating participants from various social backgrounds across three urban centres: Gaborone, Maun, and Ghanzi.
Through sociolinguistic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, the project examines language use, ideologies, and attitudes, culminating in the creation of a digital corpus of "Botswana English". The project aims to document Botswana's multilingual ecology and contribute to discussions on language dynamics in diverse multilingual settings.
Project members
Dr. Sheena Shah (Principal Investigator)
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Dr. Naledi Kgolo-Lotshwao (University of Botswana, Local Partner)
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Erika Herrmann (PhD Student)
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Local field assistants
Maatla Segobaetso (Field Assistant in Gaborone)
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Thato Hope Koloi (Field Assistant in Maun)
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Gloria Stanley (Field Assistant in Ghanzi)
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Stella Shana Moleriwa (Field Assistant in Ghanzi)
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Data collection in Gaborone, Maun, and Ghanzi
The data collection materials were pilot tested with 50 participants (20 participants in Gaborone, 15 participants in Maun, and 15 participants in Ghanzi) in January 2024. The materials were then revised by the CODILAC team and a second round of pilot testing took place in September 2025 at all three research sites.
Data collection for the project is being conducted in two phases. The first phase of data collection took place over a nine-week period from September to November 2025, with 128 questionnaires completed (55 in Gaborone and 73 in Maun) and 21 semi-structured interviews conducted in Maun. The second phase, taking place from February to April 2026, focuses on completing the data collection in Gaborone and conducting the data collection in Ghanzi.
Data collection for the project is being conducted in two phases. The first phase of data collection took place over a nine-week period from September to November 2025, with 128 questionnaires completed (55 in Gaborone and 73 in Maun) and 21 semi-structured interviews conducted in Maun. The second phase, taking place from February to April 2026, focuses on completing the data collection in Gaborone and conducting the data collection in Ghanzi.
