Issues in the making of south africas language in education. On another level, there are linguistic tensions between the ethnic europeans and the black majority, mostly in regard to language instruction in schools. Issues in the making of south africas language in education policy thobeka v. National language policy framework 2003 diversity and to the challenges of constitutional multilingualism, hence the introduction of this national language policy framework. The current state of language policy development in south africa the discussion of language policy development in south africa will be handled from the point of view that language planning is part of the strategic planning for a country, and that language planning should. The south african constitution upholds the right of all children to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice and the national language in education policy. A minor dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of a master of philosophy in justice and transformation.
The aim of this paper is to present a critical overview of language policy development in south africa. The study focuses on three initiatives at the university of pretoria as exemplary projects that address social justice concerns in. Its history and problems introduction since its creation as a british colony, south africa has been home to a multilingual population. Multilingualism in south africa university of kwazulunatal. The language policy has been drafted in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of south africa, act 108 of 1996. National policy framework for teacher education and. Mkhize and balfour language rights in education in south africa. At least thirtyfive languages indigenous to south africa are spoken in the republic, ten of which are official languages of south africa. The authors of the present article are engaged in a research project funded by the norwegian research council. National language policy framework department of arts and culture. Mother tongue debate and language policy in south africa dr.
The inherited languageineducation policy in south africa has been fraught with tensions, contradictions and sensitivities, and underpinned by racial and linguistic discrimination. Language policies and practices in tanzania and south africa. Language education policy played a majo r though still somewhat unrecognised part in the process by which south africa went from minority to majority rule. The inherited language in education policy in south africa has been fraught with tensions, contradictions and sensitivities, and underpinned by racial and linguistic discrimination. The uj language policy is informed by the constitution of the republic of south africa act act 108 of 1996, the higher education act act 101 of 1997, the language policy for higher education 2003, the use of official languages act, 2012 act 12 of 2012, the. Issues in the making of south africa s language in education policy thobeka v. Language policies in tanzania and south africa the current language policy in tanzania can best be described by words like confusing, contradictory and ambiguous. National policy for the provision and management of learning and teaching support material. Language policy and oppression in south africa cultural. Pdf english language policy in the republic of south korea.
In support of the above considerations, the following policy is adopted. Thus, south african language education policy under minority rule attempted to create within the nation a multiplicity of separate nations. The policy to make available home language education for grades one to six counters the dominant view amongst teachers and. For those who arent from south africa, we have 11 official languages afrikaans, english, isindebele, isixhosa, isizulu, sesotho sa leboa, sesotho, setswana, siswati, tshivenda, and xitsonga. Isindebele, sesotho sa leboa, sesotho sa borwa, siswati, xitsonga, setswana, tshiven. The study is a critical investigation of social justice concerns in higher education policy in emerging democracies such as south africa. The language policy for stats sa is based on the following constitutional and legislative provisions. Language education policy in botswana, africa there are 29 languages listed in botswana, all of which are living languages lewis, et al, 20. Mother tongue debate and language policy in south africa. The analysis of the language policies is preceded by an overview of the link between conflict and language in south africa and a discussion on the manner in which the postconflict south african state has attempted use language as a key player in transformation, particularly with regard to education. When complete, the package will consist of the language policy. The report seeks to gain a deeper understanding on the role language plays in improving the quality of education, and to understand. After 30 years of seemingly immutable, topdown language policy in education in south africa, the early 1990s and the dismantling of apartheid have brought. Isixhosa is used by one of the largest language communities in south africa.
Language policies at four universities craig nudelman. On the other hand, there are some very real difficulties involved in the implementation of this ideal. Compulsory african language policy for schools in 2017. This implementation plan is part of the national language policy framework nlpf that gives effect to the provisions on language as set out in section 6 of the constitution, 1996 act no. Mda, university of south africa this article argues that, to be truly understood, south africa s new language in education policy liep must be examined in the context of both historical and recent developments. South africa is a country of many languages and tongues. Definitions act the use of official languages act, 2012 act no. This volume covers the language situation in botswana, malawi, mozambique and south africa explaining the linguistic diversity, the historical and political contexts and the current language situation, including languageineducation planning, the role of the media, the role of. The flag of republic of south africa was adopted on 27 april 1994. Language in education policy department of basic education.
This followed the decision of cabinet in 1999 to prioritise the development of a language framework for higher education. Language policy and national unity in south africaazania. One of the perennial issues that arises when discussing south african education is our complex language policy. Oct 27, 20 one of the perennial issues that arises when discussing south african education is our complex language policy. Draft language policy for statistics south africa 2016. After 30 years of seemingly immutable, topdown language policy in education in south africa, the early 1990s and the dismantling of apartheid have brought considerable momentum into the language discussion. Pdf this paper addresses the issues of language planning and implementation in south africa. The department of educations language in education policy since 1998 is based on the principle of the right of children to be educated in their mother tongue whilst having access to a global language such as english.
In the postapartheid era, south africa has adopted a language policy that gives official status to 11 languages english, afrikaans, and nine bantu languages. When complete, the package will consist of the language policy statement, the implementation plan, the envisaged sa. Language planning, policy and implementation in south africa. The new language in education policy is conceived of as an integral and necessary aspect of the new. As we shall see in the next chapter, their idea of a nation is based on the experience of certain european peoples in the 18th and l9th centuries. Without detracting from the provisions of subsection.
The inherited languageineducation policy in south africa has been fraught with tensions, contradictions and sensitivities, and. In the past, the richness of our linguistic diversity was used as an instrument of control, oppression and exploitation. The inherited languagein education policy in south africa has been fraught with tensions. After considering the relationship between status and. Language policy of stellenbosch university reference number of this document hemis classification purpose to formulate a policy to guide the use of language at stellenbosch university type of document policy document. Reflection and evaluation on english language policy in the republic of south korea. Fassets language policy adheres to the requirement of the use of official languages act, no. In the constitution of tanzania from 1962 it was said that kiswahili3 and english should be the official. Constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 section 61 which afforded the official status to all 11 languages, namely. Language in south africas higher education transformation. Language policy is an interdisciplinary academic field. Fishman and ofelia garcia consider it as part of sociolinguistics. However, our languages have not always been working together.
Various different languages are used in south africa, but in the 1996 constitution, 11 languages were made the ofcial. Pdf english language policy in the republic of south. Basic education rights handbook education rights in. On the other hand, there are some very real difficulties involved in the implementation of. I sincerely trust that all south africans will embrace this national language policy framework as their.
Language policy incongruity and african languages in. South african education may not work for the benefit of all native speakers of its multiple. Language policy and education in south africa springerlink. Pdf language planning, policy and implementation in south africa. How language policy can improve student performance. On one level, there are tensions between its two official language groups, afrikaans and english. The impact of language policy and practice on childrens. It replaced the flag that had been used since 1928, and was chosen to represent multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the countrys new, postapartheid democratic society. On the one hand, it seems reasonable and desirable that learners should be able to receive education in their mother tongue, if they so wish. The question of mothertongue education in south africa remains a vexed one. The eleventh official language is south african english, which is the primary factor language used in parliamentary.
Language is not any longer mentioned in the constitution of tanzania. Mothertongue education in south africa teaching english today. The report seeks to gain a deeper understanding on the role language plays in improving the quality of education, and to understand the situation across eastern and southern africa. Maintaining the primordial language policy that is dominated by english and afrikaans is like putting new wine into old skins.
Section 6 of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996, provides the backdrop to this policy and lists the official languages of south africa to be sepedi, sesotho, setswana, siswati, tshivenda, xitsonga, afrikaans, english, isindebele, isixhosa and isizulu. The eleventh official language is english, which is the primary language used in parliamentary and state discourse, though all official. Language in education policy south african government. Language policy and oppression in south africa cultural survival. In this project the language policies of tanzania and south africa, as well as the. In the light of the above, the irbas language policy is also informed by the fact that english is. Academic involvement in language policy and planning in south africa must be seen within the context of the countrys sociolinguistic complexity and the relationship between language and a number of serious problems in the country. Ndebele, northern sotho, sotho, siswati, tsonga, tswana, venda, xhosa, zulu and afrikaans. Language policy and planning in south africa annual. Language in schools basic education rights handbook education rights in south africa chapter 11.
Its history and problems introduction since its creation as a british colony, south africa has been home to a. Pdf language planning, policy and implementation in south. On the other hand, other scholars such as bernard spolsky, robert b. English and the nondefined other languages tend to concentrate in the metropolitan areas, but note again for kwazulunatal the sizeable german communities in northern natal braunschweig, luneburg and the mid lands harburg, hermannsburg. While a good idea in theory, the language policy and situation in. The research project takes a hard look into the attitudes or perceptions of speakers of african languages towards the new language policy of south africa. What happens in south african schools is that children usually learn. Kaplan and joseph lo bianco argue that language policy is a branch of applied linguistics as a field, language policy used to be known as language planning and is related. The research project explores the extent of radical shift in african consciousness giving impetus to the resurgence of african languages so that they carry philosophical and scientific discourse to unprecedented heights. Language policy and education in multilingual south africa. National policy for determining school calendars for public schools in south africa. Mda, university of south africa this article argues that, to be truly understood, south africas new language in education policy liep must be examined in the context of both historical and recent developments. Pdf after the demise of apartheid in 1994, south africa adopted a new constitution that bolstered the image of indigenous african languages through a. Draft policy on draft regulations to minimum uniform norms and standards for ptdis and dtdcs.
Section 6 of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996, provides the backdrop to this policy and lists the official languages of south africa to be sepedi, sesotho, setswana, siswati, tshivenda, xitsonga, afrikaans, english, isindebele, isixhosa and. Basic education rights handbook education rights in south. Language policies and practices in tanzania and south. This volume covers the language situation in botswana, malawi, mozambique and south africa explaining the linguistic diversity, the historical and political contexts and the current language situation, including language in education planning, the role of the media, the role of religion, and the roles of nonindigenous languages. Joseph kinsella the development of contemporary language policy in south africa. Kaplan and joseph lo bianco argue that language policy is a branch of applied linguistics. South africa is a multilingual society that has some unique linguistic problems because of its policy of apartheid.
The impact of language policy and practice on childrens learning. The department of basic educations language policy has been formulated in line with section 4. Tshivenda, sesotho, siswati, isixhosa, isindebele, sepedi, setswana, afrikaans, xitsonga, isizulu and english. Pdf language policy implementation in south african universities. Gauteng schools will be spearheading a new language policy in 2017 that will make it compulsory for all grade 1 pupils to take an african language as a second additional language subject. The policy to make available homelanguage education for grades one to six counters the dominant view amongst teachers and. Recent developments in language planning, policy and implementation in south africa have led to a view that language policy is a text that is in a constant state of productivity, and it is always.
In july 2001, the council submitted its advice to the minister in a report entitled language policy framework for south african higher education. Pdf language policies and practices in tanzania and. The incremental introduction of african languages in south african schools. Tshotsho university of fort hare private bag x 14, alice, south africa abstract this paper evaluates the current mother tongue debates and the south african language policy. A number of these discriminatory policies have affected either the access of the learners to the education system or their success within it.
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