AUTHOR=Oyekunle Akinpelu Ayokunnu 

TITLE=Exploring “linguistic complementarity” for intercultural communication in postcolonial African states

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Communication

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483997

DOI=10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483997

ISSN=2297-900X

ABSTRACT=This paper explores the concept of linguistic complementarity as a philosophical framework for intercultural communication in postcolonial African contexts. As a conceptual research paper, the study explores the idea of linguistic complementarity to highlight the significance of cultural diversity in fostering effective communication and mutual understanding. The paper argues that linguistic complementarity provides a panacea to the “language question” in postcolonial African society and, by extension, African philosophy. The paper also explores the advantages and difficulties associated with the application of linguistic complementarity in postcolonial Africa, as well as its implementation in education, government, and the media. The conclusion emphasises the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding through linguistic complementarity and recommends further research and implementation of linguistic complementarity in intercultural communication.