Languages and cultures of Africa - LLACAN, UMR 8135

Founded in 1994, the Languages and Cultures of Africa Laboratory (LLACAN) is a joint research unit (UMR 8135) associating the CNRS, the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), and the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE-PSL). Based in Villejuif, LLACAN is dedicated to the study of African languages and cultures, with a particular emphasis on under-documented or endangered languages.

LLACAN's research activities are structured around three main areas:

Grammatical Analysis and Typology: The study of the linguistic structures of African languages to identify their common and specific characteristics.
Comparativism, Typology, and Reconstruction: Research on the historical and genetic relationships between languages, aimed at reconstructing proto-languages and understanding the dynamics of linguistic evolution.
Literature in African languages, literary theory, and language practices: analysis of oral and written productions in African languages, providing privileged access to the cultures they convey.

LLACAN researchers conduct immersive fieldwork, collecting firsthand data within linguistic communities. This work contributes to the documentation, preservation, and promotion of African languages and cultures.

Internationally, LLACAN is recognized for its expertise and commitment. It is a member of the Labex Empirical Foundations of Linguistics (EFL), the Corpus, Languages, Interactions Consortium (CORLI), and the Scientific Interest Group (GIS) "African Studies." The laboratory regularly organizes international conferences and workshops, fostering scientific exchanges and collaborations with researchers from around the world.

Director: Rozenn Guérois

Unit website: https://llacan.cnrs.fr/index_en.php

EPHE-PSL Faculty Member

Amina

METTOUCHI

Sciences historiques et philologiques

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