Title
Attitudes towards english in Mauritius: linguistic paradox or cultural pragmatism?
Document Type
Book Chapter
Abstract
Mauritius, a member of the Commonwealth since independence in 1968 and also a permanent member of the Francophonie (the equivalent in the French-speaking world of the Commonwealth organisation), is unique in many ways. An island where English is the official language, but where French predominates in social interactions and a French-based Creole is the lingua franca of a population of whom 66% are of Indian descent, although very few speak their Indian ancestral language. The remainder of the population is made up of a diversity of people from African, Chinese, European and mixed backgrounds. According to the last census carried out in 2000, the total population of the island was just over a million inhabitants and two-thirds were described as "Indo-Mauritians", 2% as "Sino-Mauritians" and almost a thord as "General Population" (i.e. Mauritians of African, mixed, and European descent). The three main religions followed by these ethno-linguistic groups are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Indo-Mauritians are generally Hindus and Muslims, whilst the majority of the General Population and Sino-Maurotians are Christians.
Link to publisher version (URL)
RIS ID
60030
This record is in the process of being updated. Please contact us for more information.
Publication Details
Bissoonauth, A. 2012, 'Attitudes towards english in Mauritius: linguistic paradox or cultural pragmatism?', in C. Coquet-Mokoko T. Harris (eds), Crafting Identities, Remapping Nationalities: The English-Speaking World in the Age of Globalization, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK. pp. 87