Language ideology in monologues of two Barayin speakers

This paper compares the language ideologies expressed in two monologues from speakers of Barayin, a Chadic language spoken by about 6000 people in the Guera region of Chad. Both speakers express an essentialist conceptualization of their language in which an authentic use of the language is linked to ethnic identity. However, one speaker rejects the need for literacy in Barayin, while the other argues for literacy to help the younger generation maintain their vital link to the language.