Language attitudes, choices, and practices of exogamous families in Johannesburg and eMalahleni, South Africa

Lumka Thandiwe  Njokweni

Exogamous marriages occur between people from different languages, cultures, ethnic, racial or religious groups. This study explores the language attitudes, choices, and practices of mixed-group families in selected parts of South Africa. Four exogamous families comprising a child or children aged between 4-17 years old were selected. Two of the families consist of married South Africans from different language groups, while the other two couples consist of a South African married to a foreign national from a different African country. Qualitative questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, and language portraits were all utilised as data collection tools. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes in the dataset. The findings reveal that while in all four families one of the parents’ primary languages is spoken in the home, none of the families are actively using and maintaining both native languages of the parents. The dominance of English and its infiltration in the home domain is another key finding of this study. The results further highlight that several factors influence the language attitudes, choices, and practices of exogamous families. These include but are not limited to one’s speaking proficiency in a language, geographical location, the language of learning and teaching, affection towards a language, and the media. The findings also reveal that language maintenance cannot occur without the active and continual use of language. The study further underpins the importance of intergenerational transmission of language for its sustained retention. More emphasis should be placed on the importance of exogamous families using their native languages for their perpetual continuation and ultimate preservation.

Language attitudes, choices, and practices of exogamous families in Johannesburg and eMalahleni, South Africa

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