More than youth language: the multiple meanings of Yabacrâne in Goma (DR Congo)

This paper focuses on the polysemy of the term Yabacrâne, which is usually seen as a Kiswahili-based youth language practice. It is used by youths in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Goma) (Nassenstein 2016) by offering a different perspective based on another concept of youth and their language. In my paper I claim that, unlike other documented practices, Yabacrâne is more than just a youth language practice. Its meaning stretches far beyond this aspect and it can refer to a general way of acting or reacting towards a situation.