Description: "...represents a new and unique analysis of multilingualism in Africa. From his perspective as a political scientist, Laitin brings an enlightening interdisciplinary approach to this subject matter, which has traditionally been the domain of the linguist and the sociologist, and the so-called 'language planners'....I found Laitin's book to be remarkably enlightening. I feel that part of its significance lies in his demonstrated ability to provide a theoretical framework through which historians, political scientists, developmental economists, and other (non-linguistic) social scientists can become more aware of the great importance of multilingualism and 'language outcomes' as factors to be reckoned with in post-colonial Africa. He succeeds admirably at making us cognizant of a wide range of considerations demonstrating the importance that traditionally underacknowledged 'language repertoires' play in African societies." John Hutchinson, International Journal of African Historical Studies

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