The Language of Crime and Violence in Africa

This collection presents an in-depth examination of linguistic strategies for identifying language-related crimes and acts of violence across various African contexts. It highlights the essential role of both spoken and written language in the landscape of crime and violence. The content of the book is carefully organised around four thematic areas: Part I explores Language and Crime in Spoken, Written and Visual Discourse, analysing how spoken language operates in criminal contexts, including the ways that speech patterns and discourse can indicate intent or culpability. Part II on the Language of Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence, examines how language can both perpetuate and challenge gender-based violence, with a focus on the discourse surrounding female victims and male perpetrators. This section also addresses how language related to violence is depicted and disseminated in media, literature, songs, and other cultural expressions, shaping societal perceptions of crime. Part III on Crime and Forensic Linguistic Analysis discusses the role of language as a form of evidence in legal cases, including how linguistic nuances can significantly influence judicial outcomes. Contributions have been carefully selected from a diverse group of authors representing ten African countries: Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Cameroon. The volume draws on a wide range of disciplines, including Linguistics, Law, Forensic Linguistics, Gender Studies, Visual Arts, and Journalism, fostering a comprehensive dialogue on the intersections of Language, Law, and Social Sciences within the African context. It will be a valuable resource for academics, researchers and policy-makers working in these and related areas.