Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

The study of African languages, cultural practices and speakers’ conceptualizations is complex and multilayered. This introductory chapter provides an overview of the goals and scope of the volume. It also offers a short historical survey of anthropological linguistics as well as some reflections on the forms this field of enquiry has taken in relation to African languages. We discuss the structure of the volume, including chapter summaries and intersections, and conclude with some remarks on the future of the anthropological linguistics of Africa.