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11 Official Languages of South Africa: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis
Author: Dr. Nomusa Dlamini, Professor of Linguistics and Sociolinguistics, University of Cape Town. Dr. Dlamini has spent over two decades researching multilingualism in South Africa, focusing specifically on the implementation and impact of the 11 official languages of South Africa. Her work includes numerous publications on language policy, language education, and the sociolinguistic dynamics of multilingual societies.
Keywords: 11 official languages of South Africa, South African languages, multilingualism, language policy, language rights, linguistic diversity, post-apartheid South Africa, African languages, South African constitution.
Abstract: This article provides a detailed analysis of the 11 official languages of South Africa, exploring their historical context within the socio-political landscape of the country. It examines the rationale behind the adoption of this unique multilingual policy, its successes, challenges, and ongoing relevance in a diverse and rapidly changing society. The article delves into the complexities of language use in education, government, and media, highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote linguistic equality and address historical inequalities.
1. The Historical Context of the 11 Official Languages of South Africa
The existence of 11 official languages in South Africa is a direct consequence of its complex and often turbulent history. Prior to 1994, the apartheid regime enforced a policy of Afrikaans and English dominance, marginalizing the indigenous African languages. This linguistic oppression was a crucial component of the broader system of racial segregation and social control. The African languages, representing the diverse cultural heritage of the country, were systematically suppressed in education, media, and government.
The transition to democracy in 1994 marked a watershed moment. The new constitution enshrined the principle of multilingualism, recognizing the eleven languages – Afrikaans, English, Ndebele (North Ndebele and South Ndebele), Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Tsonga, Xhosa, and Zulu – as official languages. This decision was not merely symbolic; it represented a deliberate attempt to redress historical injustices and promote national unity in a deeply divided society. The adoption of the 11 official languages of South Africa signified a commitment to linguistic equality and the recognition of the cultural richness embedded in the nation's diverse linguistic landscape. This was a radical departure from the previous policy and a bold attempt to build a truly inclusive nation.
2. Implementation and Challenges of the 11 Official Languages Policy
Implementing a policy recognizing 11 official languages has proven to be a significant undertaking. While the constitution guarantees equal status for all languages, achieving true equality in practice has faced numerous obstacles.
Resource allocation: Providing adequate resources for education, translation, and interpretation services across 11 languages is a massive logistical and financial challenge. Unequal distribution of resources often leads to disparities in the quality of language services, particularly in rural areas.
Language proficiency: While many South Africans are multilingual, proficiency levels vary considerably. This uneven distribution of language skills can create barriers to communication and access to services, especially for those whose mother tongue is not widely spoken.
Language of instruction: The choice of language of instruction in schools remains a contentious issue. While the ideal is to provide education in learners' mother tongues, practical limitations often necessitate the use of English or Afrikaans, particularly at higher levels of education. This can lead to a decline in the use and proficiency of many of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
Language in the Media: While broadcasting regulations encourage multilingualism, the dominance of English and Afrikaans in major media outlets persists, limiting the exposure and development of other languages.
Standardization: Some of the 11 official languages of South Africa have multiple dialects and variations, leading to challenges in standardization and the development of consistent orthography and grammar.
3. The Current Relevance of the 11 Official Languages of South Africa
Despite the challenges, the recognition of the 11 official languages remains crucial for South Africa's social cohesion and national identity. The policy continues to be relevant for several reasons:
Promoting social justice: The policy directly addresses historical injustices by affirming the linguistic rights of previously marginalized communities.
National unity: By valuing linguistic diversity, the policy fosters a sense of shared national identity that transcends ethnic and linguistic divisions.
Economic development: Multilingualism can enhance economic opportunities by facilitating communication and trade both nationally and internationally.
Cultural preservation: The policy actively contributes to the preservation and promotion of South Africa's rich cultural heritage.
Global competitiveness: In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingualism is a valuable asset, enhancing South Africa's competitiveness in the global arena.
4. Future Directions and Conclusion
The journey toward achieving true linguistic equality in South Africa is ongoing. Continued efforts are needed to address the resource imbalances, promote multilingualism in education and the media, and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the 11 official languages of South Africa. Ultimately, the success of the policy depends on a sustained commitment from the government, educational institutions, media outlets, and citizens alike. The 11 official languages of South Africa are not merely a constitutional provision; they represent a fundamental pillar of the nation's identity and its aspiration toward a more equitable and inclusive future. The ongoing dialogue and engagement surrounding the implementation and evolution of this policy will continue to shape the sociolinguistic landscape of the nation for years to come.
Publisher: Oxford University Press – A renowned academic publisher with a long history of publishing scholarly works on linguistics, language policy, and African studies. Their expertise and reputation lend significant credibility to any publication they produce on the topic of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
Editor: Professor Bongani Mgwenya, Department of African Languages, University of Pretoria. Professor Mgwenya is a leading expert in African linguistics and language policy, with extensive experience in editing scholarly publications. His editorial expertise ensures the accuracy and academic rigor of the article.
FAQs:
1. What are the 11 official languages of South Africa? Afrikaans, English, Ndebele (North and South), Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Tsonga, Xhosa, and Zulu.
2. Why does South Africa have so many official languages? It reflects the country's diverse linguistic landscape and is a deliberate attempt to redress historical injustices and promote national unity.
3. What are the challenges of implementing a multilingual policy? Resource allocation, language proficiency disparities, language of instruction debates, media representation, and standardization challenges are key obstacles.
4. What is the role of English in South Africa's multilingual context? It often serves as a lingua franca, facilitating communication between speakers of different languages, but its dominance can marginalize other languages.
5. How does the multilingual policy impact education? The aim is to provide mother tongue education, but limitations often lead to the use of English or Afrikaans, especially at higher levels.
6. What are the economic implications of multilingualism in South Africa? Multilingualism enhances economic opportunities through improved communication and access to wider markets.
7. How is the government promoting the 11 official languages? Through resource allocation for education and translation, language policies in media, and promoting language use in government services.
8. What is the future of the 11 official languages of South Africa? Continued efforts are needed to address resource inequalities, promote language use in various domains, and foster appreciation for linguistic diversity.
9. How does the multilingual policy contribute to national unity? By recognizing and valuing the linguistic heritage of all South Africans, it fosters a sense of shared national identity that transcends ethnic and linguistic divisions.
Related Articles:
1. The Sociolinguistics of Multilingualism in Post-Apartheid South Africa: An in-depth exploration of language use patterns and social dynamics in the multilingual context of South Africa.
2. Language Policy and Education in South Africa: An analysis of the challenges and successes of language policies in the education system.
3. The Role of Media in Promoting the 11 Official Languages of South Africa: Examines the contribution of media in fostering multilingualism.
4. Language Rights and Access to Services in South Africa: A study of the relationship between language rights and access to government services.
5. Economic Impacts of Multilingualism: A South African Perspective: Analyzes the economic benefits of multilingualism in South Africa.
6. The Standardization of African Languages in South Africa: An examination of the challenges and progress in standardizing the various African languages.
7. Language Attitudes and Identity in South Africa: A study of how language use shapes social identities and perceptions.
8. Comparative Analysis of Language Policies in Multilingual Countries: A comparison of South Africa's language policy with those of other multilingual nations.
9. The Future of Indigenous Languages in a Globalized World: The Case of South Africa: Discusses the challenges and opportunities for indigenous language preservation in South Africa.
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language in South Africa Rajend Mesthrie, 2002-10-17 A wide-ranging guide to language and society in South Africa. The book surveys the most important language groupings in the region in terms of wider socio-historical processes; contact between the different language varieties; language and public policy issues associated with post-apartheid society and its eleven official languages. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language Vitality in South Africa Anika Kehl, 2014-08-21 Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, grade: 1,3, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald (Anglistik/Amerikanistik), course: Hauptseminar: English in Contact, language: English, abstract: There are 24 languages which are regularly used by more than 44.8 million South Africans and almost 80 % of the South African population use one of the African languages at home. “The most commonly spoken home language is isiZulu, which is spoken by 23.8 % of the population, followed by isiXhosa (17.6 %) and Afrikaans (13.3 %)” Although English is the home language of only 8.2 % of the South African population it is still used as a lingua franca throughout the nation. The eleven official languages are used by 99% of the country’s population and those languages are all supposed to have equal rights. Belonging to these languages are English and Afrikaans, and nine other African languages: “Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu”. There are also many other languages spoken in South Africa like for example Arabic, German, Greek, Hindi, Tamil, Hebrew and many more. Some European languages like French, German, and Portuguese are used in South Africa but they are not nearly as influential as English. The historical development of South Africa has brought the question of language forward. The country became aware of its unique language situation and the chances and problems which are connected to it. After Mandela many people developed a greater interest in smaller languages. The paper is going to explore the language vitality of some of the 11 official South African languages, dealing with the problem of language endangerment/death and language reviltalisation. It is going to be seen whether the multilingualism which is propagandized by the government is or can be realised in real life. Due to the lack of valid information for many of the smaller indigenous Afrcian langugeas the paper will mostly look at the situation of Afrikaans and English, only rarely concidering the other languages in much detail. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Living in South Africa Regina Gräff, Derryn Campbell, 2014 |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language in South Africa Victor N. Webb, 2002-01-01 A discussion of the role which language, or, more properly, languages, can perform in the reconstruction and development of South Africa. The approach followed in this book is characterised by a numbers of features - its aim is to be factually based and theoretically informed. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Multilingualism and Intercultural Communication Christine Anthonissen, Bassey E Antia, Ken Barris, Rebecca Domingo, Jeanne Toit, Regine Fourie, Nompumelelo Frans, Wanga Gambushe, Eunice Ivala, Michael Joseph, Gregory Kamwendo, Hleze Kunju, Noleen Leach, Linda Manashe, Koliswa Moropa, Andre M Mostert, Ndimande-Hlongwa, Dion Nkomo, Anneke Potgieter, Monwabisi Ralarala, Esther Ramani, Justus C. Roux, Feziwe Shoba, Zakhile Somlata, Undine S. Weber, Nogwaja S. Zulu, 2017 To date, there has been no published textbook which takes into account changing sociolinguistic dynamics that have influenced South African society. Multilingualism and Intercultural Communication breaks new ground in this arena. Its scope ranges from macro-sociolinguistic questions pertaining to language policies and their implementation (or non-implementation), to microsociolinguistic observations of actual language use in verbal interaction, mainly in multilingual contexts of Higher Education (HE). There is a gradual move for the study of language and culture to be taught in the context of (professional) disciplines in which they would be used. This book caters for this growing market. Because of its multilingual nature, it caters to English and Afrikaans language speakers, as well as the Sotho and Nguni language groups. It brings together various interlinked disciplines such as Sociolinguistics and Applied Language Studies, Media Studies and Journalism, History and Education, Social and Natural Sciences, Law, Human Language Technology, Music, Intercultural Communication and Literary Studies. The unique crosscutting disciplinary features of the book will make it a must-have for twenty-first century South African students and scholars and those interested in applied language issues. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Languages, Identities and Intercultural Communication in South Africa and Beyond Russell H Kaschula, 2021-08-23 African countries and South Africa in particular, being multilingual and multicultural societies, make for exciting sociolinguistic and applied language analysis in order to tease out the complex relationship between language and identity. This book applies sociolinguistic theory, as well as critical language awareness and translanguaging with its many facets, to various communicative scenarios, both on the continent and in South Africa, in an accessible and practical way. Africa lends itself to such sociolinguistic analysis concerning language, identity and intercultural communication. This book reflects consciously on the North–South debate and the need for us to create our own ways of interpretation emanating from the South and speaking back to the North, and on issues that pertain to the South, including southern Africa. Aspects such as language and power, language planning, policy and implementation, culture, prejudice, social interaction, translanguaging, intercultural communication, education, gender and autoethnography are covered. This is a valuable resource for students studying African sociolinguistics, language and identity, and applied language studies. Anyone interested in the relationship between language and society on the African continent would also find the book easily accessible. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language and Social History Rajend Mesthrie, 1995 |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language and Identity in South Africa Daniela Kröner, 2011-03-14 Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 2,0, University of Duisburg-Essen, course: English in Africa, 10 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Since 1996, South Africa is a country of 11 official languages. Some of them interfere more than others but each of them contributes to creating the South African English . SAE is an established and unique dialect, with strong influences from Afrikaans and the country's many African languages.(SA info) So when all South Africans speak their lingua franca and their mothertongue they are at least bilingual if not multilingual. What I want to find out here, is whether bilingualism means obtaining several cultures in South Africa or if the use of the powerful SAE, which is also called 'killer-language', leads to a loss of cultures. English, of course, seems to be a global lingua franca and therefore it is powerful and it intends a higher education of its speakers. In South Africa, fewer than ten per cent of people speak English at home.(Spot on) but all South African pupils learn English, and it's the language most schools use to teach other subjects. (Spot on). That is a great chance for the pupils but problems arise when some children speak better than their teachers who learned their mothertongue or the former official language, Afrikaans, themselves. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language in South Africa Victor Webb, 2002-08-08 Language in South Africa (LiSA) debates the role of language and language planning in the reconstruction, development and transformation of post-apartheid democratic South Africa. The 1996 constitution of South Africa is founded on the political philosophy of pluralism and is directed at promoting democratic values, equity and non-discrimination, human rights, national unity and the development of all the country’s communities. The question asked in LiSA is how language planning can contribute towards the attainment of these national ideals. Set against the language political realities of the country — the a-symmetric power relations between the languages; the striking differences in the structural; functional and symbolic adaptation of the official languages; and the many language-related problems in the country — it debates the role of language in state administration, national integration, educational development and economic development. The volume concludes with a discussion of language development and language management. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Awesome South Africa Derryn Campbell, 2015-10-30 |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Interactions Across Englishes Christiane Meierkord, 2012-04-26 The global spread of English has resulted in contact with an enormous variety of different languages worldwide, leading to the creation of many new varieties of English. This book takes an original look at what happens when speakers of these different varieties interact with one another. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Not Eleven Languages Leketi Makalela, 2022-07-05 Dynamic language practices of African multilingual speakers have not been cogently described in a book-length manuscript. This book challenges assumptions that led to South Africa's 11 official languages and makes a case for mutual inter-comprehensibility. Students, teachers, and scholars in sociolinguistics, multilingualism, translanguaging, and teacher education will find this book thought-provoking. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Not Eleven Languages Leketi Makalela, 2022-07-05 The Contributions to the Sociology of Language series features publications dealing with sociolinguistic theory, methods, findings and applications. It addresses the study of language in society in its broadest sense, as a truly international and interdisciplinary field in which various approaches - theoretical and empirical - supplement and complement each other. The series invites the attention of scholars interested in language in society from a broad range of disciplines - anthropology, education, history, linguistics, political science, and sociology. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Natalie Fecher. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: South Africa's Magnifying Glass Pieter Kok, 1998 South Africa's transformation to democracy has highlighted the need for reliable socio-economic information and analysis to inform the process of meeting our numerous and complex development challenges. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Linguistic Atlas of South Africa Van der Merwe, I.J., Van der Merwe, J.H., 2007-02-01 This atlas maps various time-space dimensions of South Africa?s remarkable linguistic diversity to cast the geography of language within the conceptual framework of geolinguistics. It shows how historical patterns of spatial language preponderance have developed to produce current patterns and allows understanding of the way landscape has become regionally ingrained in the vocabulary of languages. Here language is cast as a barometer of the social dynamics processes of space and place: spatial convergence, regional competition, expansion and dominance, segregation and assimilation, ethnicity, social ecology, language identity, social interaction and migration trends. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: The Social and Political History of Southern Africa's Languages Tomasz Kamusella, Finex Ndhlovu, 2017-11-21 This book is the first to offer an interdisciplinary and comprehensive reference work on the often-marginalised languages of southern Africa. The authors analyse a range of different concepts and questions, including language and sociality, social and political history, multilingual government, and educational policies. In doing so, they present significant original research, ensuring that the work will remain a key reference point for the subject. This ambitious and wide-ranging edited collection will appeal to students and scholars of southern African languages, sociolinguistics, history and politics. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language Policy and Nation-Building in Post-Apartheid South Africa Jon Orman, 2008-08-27 The preamble to the post-apartheid South African constitution states that ‘South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity’ and promises to ‘lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law’ and to ‘improve the quality of life of all citizens’. This would seem to commit the South African government to, amongst other things, the implementation of policies aimed at fostering a common sense of South African national identity, at societal dev- opment and at reducing of levels of social inequality. However, in the period of more than a decade that has now elapsed since the end of apartheid, there has been widespread discontent with regard to the degree of progress made in connection with the realisation of these constitutional aspirations. The ‘limits to liberation’ in the post-apartheid era has been a theme of much recent research in the ?elds of sociology and political theory (e. g. Luckham, 1998; Robins, 2005a). Linguists have also paid considerable attention to the South African situation with the realisation that many of the factors that have prevented, and are continuing to prevent, effective progress towards the achievement of these constitutional goals are linguistic in their origin. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Post-Imperial English Andrew W. Conrad, Alma Rubal-Lopez, 2011-10-13 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE brings to students, researchers and practitioners in all of the social and language-related sciences carefully selected book-length publications dealing with sociolinguistic theory, methods, findings and applications. It approaches the study of language in society in its broadest sense, as a truly international and interdisciplinary field in which various approaches, theoretical and empirical, supplement and complement each other. The series invites the attention of linguists, language teachers of all interests, sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists, historians etc. to the development of the sociology of language. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Assessing Academic Literacy in a Multilingual Society Albert Weideman, John Read, Theo du Plessis, 2020-11-02 South African universities face major challenges in meeting the needs of their students in the area of academic language and literacy. The dominant medium of instruction in the universities is English and, to a much lesser extent, Afrikaans, but only a minority of the national population are native speakers of these languages. Nine other languages can be media of instruction in schools, which makes the transition to tertiary education difficult enough in itself for students from these schools. The focus of this book is on procedures for assessing the academic language and literacy levels and needs of students, not in order to exclude students from higher education but rather to identify those who would benefit from further development of their ability in order to undertake their degree studies successfully. The volume also aims to bring the innovative solutions designed by South African educators to a wider international audience. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Encyclopedia of Linguistics Philipp Strazny, 2013-02-01 Utilizing a historical and international approach, this valuable two-volume resource makes even the more complex linguistic issues understandable for the non-specialized reader. Containing over 500 alphabetically arranged entries and an expansive glossary by a team of international scholars, the Encyclopedia of Linguistics explores the varied perspectives, figures, and methodologies that make up the field. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Handbook of Research on Administration, Policy, and Leadership in Higher Education Mukerji, Siran, Tripathi, Purnendu, 2016-09-27 The creation of a sustainable and accessible higher education systems is a pivotal goal in modern society. Adopting strategic frameworks and innovative techniques allows institutions to achieve this objective. The Handbook of Research on Administration, Policy, and Leadership in Higher Education is an authoritative reference source for the latest scholarly research on contemporary management issues in educational institutions and presents best practices to improve policies and retain effective governance. Addressing the current state of higher education at an international level, this book is ideally designed for academicians, educational administrators, researchers, and professionals. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: The Zulu Ulrich von Kapff, 2012-07-20 In a single decade, between 1818 and 1828, Shaka transformed a modest chieftaincy into one of the most powerful kingdoms in southern Africa. His empire, whose heartland lay to the north of the Thukela River in present-day KwaZulu-Natal, was renowned for its military might and expansionist drive. But the sovereignty of the Zulu was short-lived, their realm crushed in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, at the battles of Rorke’s Drift and Ulundi, despite trouncing the British at Isandlwana. Although the mighty empire is long gone, many of the traditions and customs have survived. The Zulu – An A–Z of Culture and Traditions is packed with information about this heritage, covering more than 50 topics that include beadwork, pottery, carvings and basket weaving; ceremonial dances and stick fighting; rituals of courtship and marriage; Zulu dress; traditional homesteads and cattle kraals; ancestor worship; the role of sangomas and inyangas; and a variety of celebrations and ceremonial practices. This book is the perfect memento for anyone fascinated by the history and culture of South Africa’s largest ethnic society. Uli von Kapff moved to South Africa in 1989, initially settling in KwaZulu-Natal. His knowledge of the Zulu shines through in this book, giving the reader a rich insight into the culture and traditions of the country’s largest indigenous group. He lives in Cape Town, where he works in the IT support industry and undertakes expeditions in southern Africa. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: The Routledge Handbook of English-Medium Instruction in Higher Education Kingsley Bolton, Werner Botha, Benedict Lin, 2024-03-21 This Handbook discusses the theoretical and disciplinary background to the study of English-medium instruction (EMI) in higher education worldwide. It highlights issues relating to EMI pedagogy, varying motivations for EMI education, and the delivery of EMI in diverse contexts across the world. The spread of English as a teaching medium and the lingua franca of the academic world has been the subject of various debates in recent years on the perceived hegemony of the English language and the ‘domain loss’ of non-English languages in academic communication. Encompassing a wide range of contributions to the field of EMI, the chapters of this Handbook are arranged in four distinct parts: Part I provides an overview of English-medium instruction in higher education worldwide; Part II focusses on EMI in Europe; Part III on EMI in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa; and Part IV on EMI in the Asian region. The overall scope and level of expertise of this Handbook provides an unrivalled overview of this field of education. It serves as an essential reference for many courses dealing with applied linguistics, English language education, multilingualism, sociolinguistics, and related subjects at many levels of education, including Master’s and PhD-level studies. This Handbook serves as a valuable edition for university libraries across the world and an essential read for many faculty, undergraduate and postgraduate students, educators, and policymakers. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: English in Multilingual South Africa Raymond Hickey, 2020 An innovative and insightful exploration of varieties of English in contemporary South Africa. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language, Society and the State in a Changing World Stanley D. Brunn, Roland Kehrein, 2023-04-08 This book addresses the changing contemporary language worlds in three major contexts. It first discusses how the language landscape maps of cities are changing as a result of increased migration, globalization and global media. These features are evident in place names and place name changes as well as the densities and frequencies of language spoken and used in texts. The second section discusses how the state itself is responding to both indigenous and heritage groups desiring to be included and represented in the state’s political landscapes and also expressions of art and culture. In the third section, the authors address a number of cutting-edge theses that are emerging in the linguistic geography and political words. These include the importance of gender, anthropogenetic discourse, the preservation of endangered languages and challenges to a state’s official language policy. Through including authors from nine different countries, who are writing about issues in twelve countries and their overlapping interests in language mapping, language usage and policy and visual representations, this book provides inspiring research into future topics at local, national, regional and international scales. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Taking Ethno-Cultural Diversity Seriously in Constitutional Design Solomon A. Dersso, 2012 Using a legal and multidisciplinary approach towards empirical and prescriptive analysis of contemporary minority rights standards, this book defends and elaborates a robust minority rights framework for articulating a constitutional design responsive to the claims of ethno-cultural groups in Africa. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language Planning and Policy in Africa Richard B. Baldauf, Robert B. Kaplan, 2004 A longer-range purpose is to collect comparable information on as many polities as possible in order to facilitate the development of a richer theory to guide language policy and planning in other polities that undertake the development of a national policy on languages. This volume is part of an areal series which is committed to providing descriptions of language planning and policy in countries around the world.--BOOK JACKET. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Investigating the Role of Language in the Identity Construction of Scholars John Adamson, Vuyisile Mathew Ngoqo, Sivakumar Sivasubramaniam, 2016-09-23 Many people across the globe are today experiencing an era characterised by increasingly dynamic population mobility. It is, consequently, a time where previously held assumptions about individual and group identities, and about the social and political semiotics that shape them, seem inadequate. Languages and cultures are at the heart of what has been termed this “superdiversity”. In contemporary superdiverse societies, the question of language poses a particularly difficult challenge, with new cultural realities giving rise to new questions. In in such circumstances, how can linguistic and cultural identities be defined? The future is likely to witness tensions and oppositions between centrifugal and centripetal forces; and tendencies towards globalisation allow some to suggest that culture is becoming increasingly uniform. This book illustrates the narrowness and reductiveness of such suggestions, and underlines the importance of embracing centrifugal forces. Central to this, and to the practices argued for in this book, is the need for greater intercultural awareness on the part of teachers, curriculum planners, teacher educators and, of course, their students. The book explores major hindrances to communication in the way in which we over-generalise, stereotype and reduce the people with whom we communicate to something different or less than they are. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Language, Society, and Empowerment in Africa and Its Diaspora Akinloyè Òjó, 2022-09-06 Africa’s diversity is best illustrated linguistically. Thousands of endogenous and exogenous languages are linked to and central to the identity and reality of Africans. Language is a vital lens for analyzing these multifaceted challenges in Africa, where a deeper understanding of the entire linguistic landscape is germane to understanding sociopolitical and cultural systems. Concentrating on instrumental and emblematic functions of language in Africa, Language, Society, and Empowerment in Africa and Its Diaspora argues for the critical value of African languages beyond functionality into philosophical consideration of their importance for African unity and advancement. Akinloyè Òjó calls for the development and empowerment of African languages to serve in various domains, including the support of basic literacy and daily survival of their users. Òjó propagates ways to empower African languages for African sociocultural and economic development in the twenty-first century. The author productively engages works by linguists and language pedagogues to provide an ardent case for the empowerment of African languages in the renewed era of globalization, the internet, and an emergent Global Africa. Òjó posits and accentuates some of the notable modalities for empowering African languages in specialized domains for national and continental development. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Finance & Development, June 2015 International Monetary Fund. Communications Department, 2015-06-04 Finance and Development, June 2015 |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Dictionaries. An International Encyclopedia of Lexicography Rufus Gouws, Ulrich Heid, Wolfgang Schweickard, Herbert Ernst Wiegand, 2013-12-18 The basis for this additional volume are the three volumes of the handbooks Dictionaries. An International Encyclopedia of Lexicography (HSK 5.1–5.3), published between 1989 and 1991. An updating has been perceived as an important desideratum for a considerable time. In the present Supplementary Volume the premises and subjects of HSK 5.1–5.3 are complemented by new articles that take account of the practice-internal and theoretical developments of the last 15 years. Special attention has been given to the following topics: the status and function of lexicographic reference works, the history of lexicography, the theory of lexicography, lexicographic processes, lexicographic training and lexicographic institutions, new metalexicographic methods, electronic and, especially, computer-assisted lexicography. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Democracy X Andries Oliphant, Peter Delius, Lalou Meltzer, 2021-11-15 This book is a catalogue and a reader. It is the companion to the exhibition Democracy X' held in Cape Town 2004. It also explores a range of historical, cultural and political matters around the 10th anniversary of the new democratic South-Africa. Richly illustrated, this book includes essays of eminent writers about topics such as the Boer War, the Iron Age, ethnic politics, nationalism, film and popular media. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: South Africa Investment and Business Guide Volume 1 Strategic and Practical Information IBP, Inc., 2015-09-11 South Africa Investment and Business Guide Volume 1 Strategic and Practical Information |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Revitalizing Minority Voices Renée DePalma, Diane Brook Napier, Willibroad Dze-Ngwa, 2015-10-13 Whose voices are taken into account in language policy and planning and whose have been ignored or more actively silenced? This is the central question addressed in this book. What are the political and social factors that have helped to create these historical exclusions, in terms of endangerment and loss of traditional languages? What are the global influences on the local landscape of languages and linguistic rights? What are the implications for cultural heritage and identity? In analyzing these questions and reporting on research in an array of countries, the chapter authors also suggest ways forward toward designing more inclusive policies and practices in educational contexts, whether in the context of obligatory schooling or in less formal educational contexts. UNESCO estimates that at least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Such statistics remind us that the linguistic diversity that characterizes the human condition is a fragile thing, and that certain languages need to be cultivated if they are to survive into the 21st century and beyond. The chapters in this volume originated as presentations at the XV World Congress of Comparative Education Societies (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2013). They represent several global regions, namely Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. They provide analyses of language policy and politics at the local, regional, national and transnational levels, grass-roots linguistic revitalization initiatives, and the attitudes of minority and majority speakers toward minoritized languages and cultures and towards intercultural and multilingual education programs./div |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Rise You Downtrodden Blacks Tofara Y Dube, 2015-12-07 The book is an observation and analysis of the status of black people all over the world. It does not only observe and analyse but goes as far as making recommendations about how blacks can be saved from other races and, more importantly, from themselves. Controversially, he is completely against reparations for slavery. Also controversially, this book asserts that the world cannot defeat racism without recognising the scientific basis and justification for racist behaviour. It also states that Al Qaeda is a racist organisation. Using Donald Trump as an example, the book warns Africa not to copy everything about Western culture without thinking. The book suggests how blacks can extricate themselves from their low status and esteem through various actions such as language reform, business linkages, and due attention to science. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Juvenile Justice Administration Peter C. Kratcoski, 2012-05-10 An effective administrator must not only have the educational background to understand the foundational basis for the system, but must also be guided by the vision and mission of the organization. Juvenile Justice Administration illustrates through examples and interviews with juvenile justice administrators and other personnel how these organizations and agencies function and provides a comparative analysis of juvenile justice systems across countries and continents. Using a plethora of case studies to demonstrate the issues presented, the book examines: The historical origins and goals of the juvenile justice system The tasks performed by juvenile justice administrators Management theories and administrative models such as the human relations approach, the social systems approach, and organizational models Juvenile justice personnel and administrative agencies serving endangered children Laws pertaining to juvenile offenders and children at risk Police and juvenile justice issues in the United States, Canada, Japan, Austria, and South Africa Probation, parole, community-based sanctions, and correctional facilities for juvenile offenders The book also explores future trends in juvenile justice administration. As the system increasingly shifts from a punishment-oriented model to a restorative justice approach, this book provides administrators with sufficient background on the topic as well as insight into innovative policies and procedures that may prove advantageous to their communities. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Indigenous Language Media, Language Politics and Democracy in Africa Abiodun Salawu, Monica Chibita, Sarantakos, 2016-02-02 This book deals with the often-neglected link between indigenous languages, media and democracy in Africa. It recognizes that the media plays an amplifying role that is vital to modern-day expression, public participation and democracy but that without the agency to harness media potential, many Africans will be excluded from public discourse. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Handbook of Research on Mixed Methods Research in Information Science Ngulube, Patrick, 2021-11-26 Mixed methods research is becoming prevalent in many fields, yet little has been done to elevate mixed methods research in information science. A comprehensive picture of information science and its problems is needed to further understand and address the issues associated with it as well as how mixed methods research can be adapted and used. The Handbook of Research on Mixed Methods Research in Information Science discusses the quality of mixed methods studies and methodological transparency, sampling in mixed methods research, and the application of theory in mixed methods research throughout various contexts. Covering topics such as the issues and potential directions for further research in mixed methods, this comprehensive major reference work is ideal for researchers, policymakers, academicians, librarians, practitioners, instructors, and students. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Languages and Education in Africa Birgit Brock-Utne, Ingse Skattum, 2009-05-11 The theme of this book cuts across disciplines. Contributors to this volume are specialized in education and especially classroom research as well as in linguistics, most being transdisciplinary themselves. Around 65 sub-Saharan languages figure in this volume as research objects: as means of instruction, in connection with teacher training, language policy, lexical development, harmonization efforts, information technology, oral literature and deaf communities. The co-existence of these African languages with English, French and Arabic is examined as well. This wide range of languages and subjects builds on recent field work, giving new empirical evidence from 17 countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as to transnational matters like the harmonization of African transborder languages. As the Editors – a Norwegian social scientist and a Norwegian linguist, both working in Africa – have wanted to give room for African voices, the majority of contributions to this volume come from Africa. |
| 11 official languages of south africa: Translanguaging in Science Education Anders Jakobsson, Pia Nygård Larsson, Annika Karlsson, 2022-02-23 This edited volume explores diverse translanguaging practices in multilingual science classrooms in Hong Kong, Lebanon, Luxembourg, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. It presents novel opportunities for using students’ home, first or minority languages as meaning-making tools in science education. It also invites to explore the use of language resources and other multimodal resources, such as gestures and body language. In addition, it discusses and problematizes contingent hindrances and obstacles that may arise from these practices within various contexts around the world. This includes reviewing different theoretical starting points that may be challenged by such an approach. These issues are explored from different perspectives and methodological focus, as well as in several educational contexts, including primary, middle, secondary levels, higher education, as well as in after-school programs for refugee teenagers. Within these contexts, the book highlights and shares a range of educational tools and activities in science education, such as teacher-led classroom-talk, language-focused teaching, teachers’ use of meta-language, teachers’ scaffolding strategies, small-group interactions, and computer-supported collaborative learning. |
National Language Policy Framework Final Draft - South …
1.1.2 The 11 official languages are isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu and siSwati (referred to as the Nguni language group); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana (referred to as the Sotho language …
Chapter 65 Official Languages and Language Rights
Tshivenda, isiXhosa and isiZulu shall be the official South African languages at national level, and conditions shall be created for their development and for the promotion of their equal use and …
SAQA LANGUAGE POLICY
In accordance with the Use of Languages Act, 2012, 4(1), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), as a national public entity, has developed a Language Policy regarding the …
Official Languages Of South Africa - interactive.cornish.edu
Since 1996 South Africa is a country of 11 official languages Some of them interfere more than others but each of them contributes to creating the South African English SAE is an …
P16 Encyclopedia ZAF w header updated 10.4.2017 - PIRLS 2016
South Africa is a diverse, multilingual, and multicultural society. The country’s Constitution recognizes 11 official spoken languages (prior to 1993, English and Afrikaans were the only …
NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES - GTAC
recognises 11 official languages, all of which are equally esteemed and must be treated equitably. The state is constitutionally required to take practical and positive measures to elevate the …
USE OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT
provides for 11 official languages of South Africa; recognises the diminished use and status of indigenous languages and requires the State to take practical and positive measures to …
Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012 - South African …
provides for 11 official languages of South Africa; recognises the diminished use and status of indigenous languages and requires the State to take practical and positive measures to …
Draft Language Policy For Statistics South Africa 2016
1. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 Section 6(1) which afforded the official status to all 11 languages, namely: Tshivenda, Sesotho, SiSwati, IsiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sepedi, …
South Africa's System of Official Languages - JSTOR
ANALYSENUNDBERICHTE SouthAfrica'sSystemofOfficialLanguages ByKlāvsSkovsholm 1. Introduction Thisarticledealswiththecurrentrulesonofficiallanguagesin ...
Eleven Official Languages and More: legislation and language …
The South African Constitution of 1996 recognises eleven official languages on an equal footing without affording English or any of the other ten languages any special status. For half a …
Official Languages Of South Africa - interactive.cornish.edu
Official Languages Of South Africa: Language in South Africa Rajend Mesthrie,2002-10-17 A wide ranging guide to language and society in South Africa The book surveys the most important …
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act: Language …
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) Act 108 of 1996 recognises 11 official languages; recognises the historically diminished use and status of indigenous languages and …
Official Languages Of South Africa Copy
Official Languages Of South Africa: Language in South Africa Rajend Mesthrie,2002-10-17 A wide ranging guide to language and society in South Africa The book surveys the most important …
Use of Official Languages Act: Language policy of Department …
3.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 The relevant sections provide as follows: 3.1 1 Section 6(1) to (4): "(1) The official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, …
SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES BILL - South African Government
WHEREAS section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for the use of 11 official languages of SouthAfrica and for all official languages to enjoy parity of …
USE OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 2012
AND WHEREAS section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for 11 official languages of South Africa; recognises the diminished use and status of indigenous …
Official Languages South Africa - interactive.cornish.edu
Official Languages South Africa: Language in South Africa Rajend Mesthrie,2002-10-17 A wide ranging guide to language and society in South Africa The book surveys the most important …
Use of Official Languages Act: Language policy: Legal Aid …
South Africa is a multilingual country and Section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996) grants official language status to 11 languages, namely …
Use of Official Languages Bill 23B of 2011 - South African …
WHEREAS the use of the Republic’s official languages must be promoted and pursued in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; AND WHEREAS …
National Language Policy Framework Final Draft - So…
1.1.2 The 11 official languages are isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu and siSwati (referred to as the Nguni language group); Sesotho, Sepedi and …
Chapter 65 Official Languages and Language …
Tshivenda, isiXhosa and isiZulu shall be the official South African languages at national level, and conditions shall be created for their development and …
SAQA LANGUAGE POLICY
In accordance with the Use of Languages Act, 2012, 4(1), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), as a national public entity, has …
Official Languages Of South Africa - interactive.cornish.…
Since 1996 South Africa is a country of 11 official languages Some of them interfere more than others but each of them contributes to creating the …
P16 Encyclopedia ZAF w header updated 10.4.2017
South Africa is a diverse, multilingual, and multicultural society. The country’s Constitution recognizes 11 official spoken languages (prior to 1993, …
