Join WALS

A non-profitable association of academics, research workers, field workers and teachers from the West African sub-region.

The West African Linguistic Society (WALS) is a restricted international scholarly association.


It aims to:

  • 1. to offer membership to and ensure permanent contact among all who are engaged in the scholarly study of the languages of West Africa, of their literatures, and of any other linguistic aspects of the area;
  • 2. to initiate, encourage and support scholarly research in this field, both for scientific purposes and to assist African nations with the linguistic aspects of their educational and social development;
  • 3. to organise such regular meetings, conferences or congresses as may be though desirable from time to time, and at least once a year if possible;
  • 4. to publish and assist the publication of the results of scholarly research in this field;
  • 5. to offer grants for research in this field, whenever practicable and desirable;
  • 6. to establish association or affiliation with any other recognised scholarly association or international body as may seem desirable, and in particular with the International Council for Philosophy and the Humanistic Sciences, thereby entering into official relationship with UNESCO.

  • Full membership shall entitle members to voting rights on regular payment of the annual membership fee. Those holding academic positions in teaching or research, or equivalent in status, shall be eligible to apply for membership of the Society.

  • Application for membership thereafter must have the sponsorship of two full members of the Society. The Secretary-Treasurer shall review all application for membership and approve if the applicant is found eligible. The payment of membership annual dues shall be followed by the formal registration of a new member. The new member will thereafter be issued a membership Identity Card.

Membership of the Society shall be of three kinds: Honorary Membership; Full Membership and Associate Membership.

  • 1. Honorary membership shall be conferred by action of the Council with consent of the full members in congress assembled.
  • 2. Full membership shall entitle members to voting rights on regular payment of the annual membership fee. Those holding academic positions in teaching or research, or equivalent in status, who attended the inaugural meeting of the Society, shall be entitled to be founding members of the Society. Application for membership thereafter must have the sponsorship of two full members of the Society.
  • 3. Associate membership may be obtained by application to the Secretary-Treasurer, accompanied by evidence of genuine interest in African language studies. Associate membership shall entitle the member to attend congress or other open meetings of the Society. Associate members shall not be entitled to vote.
  • Those interested in joining the Society should contact:
    The Secretary-Treasurer

Payment of Membership Dues

  • Old and New Members can pay their annual Membership Dues (of $21 or its equivalent) into the following ECOBANK Accounts:
  • Dollar Account Number: 0283005704
    Naira Account Number: 0283005694