Serge Sagna

I am a Lecturer in Linguistics at The University of Manchester. Prior to this post, I held three postdoctoral research positions at The University of Manchester (Language documentation and description), the University of Surrey (Linguistic typological research), and the University of York (Child language acquisition).

I was one of the first two, and the first African PhD graduate of the Endangered Languages Academic Programme at SOAS, University of London.

I currently teach Language Policy and Planning, and Societal Multilingualism. I have previously taught other courses, including Linguistic Typology, Linguistic Field Methods, Language Documentation, and an Introduction to African Languages.

I conduct academic research and publish in several areas of linguistics including the following:

• Endangered languages and language documentation
• Multilingualism
• Child language acquisition
• Linguistic typology, with a particular focus on Niger-Congo noun class systems
• Anthropological linguistics

I am currently developing a new research programme in Language Policy and Planning, especially on developing African languages for Education.

I produce research engagement educational material for primary school children, for example, numeracy booklets in Eegimaa, a minority and endangered language of Senegal. For adults, I have produced preventative health booklets on HIV/AIDS and Malaria. Since 2015, I have been running a radio programme in Eegimaa to raise awareness on health, education, socio-economic development, as well as to contribute to the revitalisation of the language.

I did my primary education in French, a language that none of the pupils understood. I am a strong supporter of “Mother Tongue” education, and I strongly believe that general linguistics is indispensable for a successful implementation of such a programme which is promoted by many states and international organisations.

Multilingualism

Language policy and planning

Child language acquisition

Language documentation and description.

Linguistic typology

 African languages, Atlantic language family, Niger-Congo languages

Basse Casamance, Senegal

2021-22 - Present: Language Policy and Planning (3rd year course).

2021-22 - Present: Societal Multilingualism (2nd & 3rd year course).

2018 August: Summer School in Language Documentation Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco. (Postgraduate & academic staff).

2017 July: Summer School in Language Documentation, University of Education Winneba, Ghana. (Postgraduate & academic staff).

2011-12 - Semester 2: Introduction to Typology - The University of     Manchester - 2nd year course.

2011-12 - Semester 1: Linguistic Field Methods - The University of Manchester - 3rd year course.

2010 July: Summer School in Language Documentation, University of Education Winneba, Ghana. (Postgraduate & academic staff).

2009: Introduction to African Languages - The University of Manchester 2nd year course.