Necessary versus Sufficient Conditions for Using New Languages in South African Higher Education: A Linguistic Appraisal

Autor/in	Mesthrie, Rajend
Titel	Necessary versus Sufficient Conditions for Using New Languages in South African Higher Education: A Linguistic Appraisal
Quelle	In: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 29 (2008) 4, S.325-340 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0143-4632
Schlagwörter	African Languages; Higher Education; Semantics; Democracy; Translation; Applied Linguistics; Word Lists; Multilingualism; Dictionaries; Foreign Countries; Educational Policy; Christianity; Religion; History; Semiotics; Scientific Concepts; Written Language; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Africa; Language; Languages; Afrika; Sprachen; Afrikanische Sprache; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Semantik; Demokratie; Linguistics; Linguistik; Angewandte Linguistik; Wortliste; Mehrsprachigkeit; Multilingualismus; Dictionary; Wörterbuch; Ausland; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; Christentum; Geschichte; Geschichtsdarstellung; Semiotik; Geschriebene Sprache; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	This paper critically examines one particular issue against the background of changes in South Africa's higher education system consequent upon the advent of a non-racial democracy--the possibility of implementing multilingual instructional polices that include indigenous African languages in its universities. Currently, a great deal of applied linguistic work is being carried out on the creation of word lists and dictionaries, via translation and term creation. This paper concurs that this is a necessary step in language adaptation for the task envisaged. It uses Saussurian semantics to show that translation and/or creation of terms is not a relatively transparent activity. An examination of Saussure's notion of "semantic value" leads to a post-structuralist concern with use and function. This orientation to language is considered further in light of the discourse-oriented work of M.A.K. Halliday and J.R. Martin on the language of science in "Writing Science, Literacy and Discursive Power," published by Falmer Press in 1993. Such discourse unfolds within a community of practice. The practices required for a translated science involve semiotic inculcation, and can be compared to the efforts of 19th-century Christian missionaries who worked on expanding Xhosa for religious purposes. These efforts show the complexities of developing Xhosa as a possible language of science, which any language planner will have to face. (Contains 10 notes.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10