Majority and Minority Languages in South Africa.

Autor/in	Alexander, Neville
Titel	Majority and Minority Languages in South Africa.
Quelle	(2001), (17 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	African Languages; Elementary Secondary Education; English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Indigenous Populations; Language Attitudes; Language Minorities; Language of Instruction; Language Planning; Mass Media; Multilingualism; Public Policy; Uncommonly Taught Languages; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Africa; Language; Languages; Afrika; Sprachen; Afrikanische Sprache; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Ausland; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Sinti und Roma; Sprachverhalten; Sprachminderheit; Teaching language; Unterrichtssprache; Sprachwechsel; Massenmedien; Mehrsprachigkeit; Multilingualismus; Öffentliche Ordnung; Minderheitensprache; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	This paper discusses three categories of languages in post-apartheid South Africa: high-status, low-status, and endangered. The first section presents demolinguistic profiles and their representation in the media, offering data on the relative numerical importance of the main languages used in South Africa and the average and proportional allocation at three South African Broadcasting Corporation stations in 1996. The second section examines the sociolinguistic status of South Africa's languages, noting the processes that shaped language policy and attitudes during the past 50 years. The third section discusses language in education, explaining that most educators in South Africa continue to think of the indigenous African languages as impediments to be overcome on the way to mastering the English language. The fourth section describes prospects for African languages in South Africa and its education system. The paper concludes that a series of language planning steps is necessary to ensure that the theoretically unchallengeable policy positions of the new South Africa are realized. Recommendations include large scale generalized critical language awareness campaigns, multilingual or bilingual signposts and nameboards for all government buildings and roads, and large-scale training for interpreters, translators, journalists, media practitioners, and teachers. (SM)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC