"Birth of a National Language provides essential reading for those interested in the development, usage and future of Setswana in Botswana. This well-researched study traces the development of Setswana from the earliest known records to its present status as a national language in Botswana. The complex relationships between nation, language, and society is discussed in detail, with reference to both historical and geographical influences. Special emphasis is placed on the linguistic consequences of the great social changes brought about by independence in 1966, and a chapter is devoted to the very dynamic linguistic situation in the capital city, Gaborone. The Gaborone example leads to a more general discussion of recent semantic and lexical changes. The book concludes with an overview of the evolution of Setswana in Botswana, and a discussion of possible future developments based on comparisons with other languages." --cover page [4].