Text-only | Español
Apply Now
Department of English and Foreign Languages
 
Skip navigation
Home
 


Dr. Timothy T. Ajani

Dr. Timothy T. Ajani

Associate Professor
 

Office  : Butler 134

Phone : 672-1244
Fax     : 672-1425

Email  : tajani@uncfsu.edu
Personal Homepage: http://faculty.uncfsu.edu/tajani/

BIOGRAPHY

 I received my Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Florida. My doctoral dissertation (under the supervision of Dr. M. J. Hardman) is entitled “Aspect in Yoruba and Nigerian English.” My M.A. (Maîtrise) and M.Phil. (D.E.A.) degrees in Applied Linguistics were obtained from the Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, France. I obtained my B.A. (Honors.) degree in French from the University of Ifè, Ilé-Ifè, Nigeria. My educational and teaching experiences span three continents – Africa, Europe and North America. I have taught High School French for three and a half years in Nigeria and Yoruba language and culture for three years in Paris, France. While at the University of Florida I taught Yoruba from the beginning to Intermediate level; Introduction to African Literature; African Humanities and English as a Second Language (ESL). I also taught African Cultures and Literatures, and African Religions and Cultures at surrounding Community Colleges. I have done some language consultancy while at the University of Florida; at Clark-Atlanta University, Georgia; and Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida. I have been a reviewer/panelist for the US Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (FDDRA) and Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Programs, as well as for the Title VI International Research and Studies (IRS) Program since 2003. I hold memberships in the following professional societies: African Language Teachers Association, Linguistic Society of America (LSA), Modern Language Association (MLA), International Association for World Englishes (IAWE), American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC).

TEACHING COURSES

Spring 2008 Courses

Elementary French I (FREN 110-01)
Elementary French II (FREN 120-01)
Intermediate French II (FREN 212-01)
Elementary Yoruba II (YORU 120-01)

Fall 2007 Courses

Elementary French I (FREN 110-02)
Elementary French II (FREN 120-01)
Intermediate French I (FREN 211-01)
Elementary Yoruba I (YORU 110-01)

RESEARCH

 My research interests are in the New Englishes, with emphasis on Nigerian English; English and French as Second or Foreign languages; The Use of Technology to Enhance Foreign Language Teaching. Yoruba language and linguistics; the language of African literature, with specific interest in the English of Amos Tutuola, Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe

PUBLICATIONS

 Recently Published Articles

Ajani, Timothy T. 2007. “Is There Indeed a Nigerian English?” In Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences. Volume 1, Issue 1, 2007. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1084.htm.

Ajani, Timothy T. 2006. Pioneering Yoruba as a Foreign Language at an Historically Black Institution: Cultural, Ideological and Curricular Challenges.” In Selected Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, ed. Olaoba F. Arasanyin and Michael A. Pemberton, 109-115, Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project. www.lingref.com, document # 1413. http://www.lingref.com/cpp/acal/36/abstract1413.html.

Timothy T. Ajani. 2005. “Whatever Happened To “Queen’s English”: Creativity and Innovation in Wole Soyinka’s Collected Plays,” West Africa Review: Issue 7, 2005.

Recent Book and Journal Review

Reviewer for the International Journal of Multilingualism (Fall 2007-).

Reviewer for the Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (Spring 2007-).

Reviewer for the Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 36), 2006.

“Teaching Yoruba in a Changing European Environment: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives.” Reviewed for the Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 36). Cascadilla Proceedings, Fall 2006.

“Socio-pragmatic Constraints to Native Language Education in Cameroon.” Reviewed for the Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 36). Cascadilla Proceedings, Fall 2006.

“Raising Bilingual African Children in America.” Reviewed for the Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 36). Cascadilla Proceedings, Fall 2006.

M. E. Kropp Dakubu (ed.), English in Ghana. Accra: Ghana English Studies Association, 1997. Reviewed for African Studies Quarterly, Volume 5, Issue 1 (Winter 2001). http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v5/v5i1a11.htm.

Internal Reviewer for African Studies Quarterly (ASQ), the electronic journal of the Center for African Studies, University of Florida. 1998-summer 2001.

Research/Work in Progress

A book-writing project entitled Global Accents: Languages Other Than English

Consequences of the Globalization of English: Perspectives From Nigerian English

The use of technology in the foreign language classroom

The Legacy of Amos Tutuola

Compounding in Yoruba

Aspect in Yoruba

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

"Lilo Ero Intaneeti fun Kikoni ni Edee Yoruba ni Ile-Eko Gigajulo: Awon Iriri Oluko Kan." 11th Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers Association (ALTA 11), March 22-25, 2007.

"The Web Portfolio: Using the Internet to Enhance the Teaching of Yoruba." 38th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 38), University of Florida, March 22-25, 2007.

“Writing an Effective Syllabus.” Paper presented to the Faculty of Grace College of Divinity, Fayetteville, NC. August 2, 2006.

"Multidirectionality of Linguistic Influence: Evidence from the Works of Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe." Presented at the 121st Modern Language Association Annual Convention, Washington DC. December 29, 2005.

"Pioneering Yoruba as a Foreign Language at an HBCU: Cultural, Ideological and Curricular Challenges." Paper presented at the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL), Georgia Southern University. March 31-April 3, 2005.

"He Being Dead Yet Speaketh: The Legacy of Amos Tutuola." Paper presented at the Center for African Studies Lecture Series, University of Florida. January 17, 2003.

"Linguistic Consequences of Globalization: Perspectives from Nigerian English." Paper presented at the Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention in New York City, December 2002.

"Two Cultures, Two Languages: The Tutuola Phenomenon." Paper presented at the Izola Young Memorial Discourses, Fayetteville State University, November 7, 2002.

"Teaching African Languages: Strategies, Resources and Challenges." Presented at the Interdisciplinary Minor in African Studies (IMAS) Faculty Development Workshop, Clark Atlanta University. July 12-13, 2001.



 
Fayetteville State University • 1200 Murchison Road • Fayetteville, NC 28301 • 910.672.1111
Copyright © • A Constituent Institution of The University of North Carolina • Contact Us