Considering a Lexicographic plan for Gabon within the Gabonese Language Landscape*

Abstract

This article raises a number of questions that should be dealt with in drawing up a lexicographic plan for Gabon. For which of the Gabonese languages should lexicographic units be established? This question entrains the issue of inventorying the Gabonese languages and their standardization as well as the issue of language planning for Gabon. What is the status of those foreign languages widely spoken in Gabon? What about French? Should Gabon keep importing its French dictionaries from France, or should the Gabonese compile their own French dictionaries, including French words and expressions exclusively used in Gabon? Finally, after trying to answer these questions, a number of suggestions are made for the establishment of a lexicographic plan for Gabon.

Keywords: gabonese language landscape (GLL), lexicographic plan for gabon, language diversity, language policy, language standardization, gabonese lexicography, national language, native languages, foreign languages