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In a globalized world, language regiments the flow of knowledge. Against the background of its "difficult heritage", Afrikanistik as the study of African languages, literatures and texts is in a privileged position to mediate heterotopic and heterogeneous knowledge practices. We invite young scholars to recalibrate Afrikanistik with their innovative ideas in dialogue with African Studies.

Latest News

Risks of AI | Afrikanists Assemble | Episode 42

This month’s question is: “With artificial intelligence increasingly taking hold inside and outside academia, what present pitfalls or future risks do you see it posing for African languages and literatures?”

RecAf Forum - Borrowed Words and Borrowed Time

In this session of the RecAf Forum on Language Work, Tessa Dowling, Senior Lecturer in the African Languages and Literatures Section at UCT, will present on "Borrowed words and borrowed time".

Writing Seminar 2025 - Projects in African Studies

Recalibrating Afrikanistik will offer a writing seminar during the summer semester 2025. The seminar will enable advanced students to complete individual writing projects in a supportive and critical, structured environment.

Extended Registration Deadline: 14 May 2025

Forum on (African) Language Work

Every first Tuesday of the Month, RecAf hosts the Forum on (African) Language Work highlighting diverse perspectives of and engagements with Language Workers.

Where are we heading?

  1. goal-1

    A critical debate about the history and objects of our discipline

  2. Languages, literatures and texts as situated knowledge practices

  3. Joint knowledge production with young scholars and six partner universities