'n Ondersoek na taalhoudings en persepsies van graad 12 leerders in drie Afrikaanse hoërskole in Johannesburg
- Authors: Van Zyl, Renette
- Date: 2009-01-08T13:07:25Z
- Subjects: Language and education , Native language and education , Sociolinguistics , Historical linguistics , Language arts , Multilingualism , Language and culture , Afrikaans language usage , English language usage
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1849
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The current political dispensation in South Africa has, as was the case in the past, undoubtedly had a major influence on the language patterns of the country. The 1996 Constitution now provides official recognition of the main indigenous languages. Despite this entrenchment, there is evidence of a marked shift in language allegiance in favour of English. This study focuses on the language attitudes and perceptions of grade 12 learners in three Afrikaans medium high schools in Johannesburg. In order to achieve the task, a “triangulation approach” was adopted. A literature study was done to provide a backdrop to the understanding of the present language situation. Interviews were conducted with the Afrikaans language teachers of the respondents. Questionnaires were then completed by the learners, as well as by the said teachers. The objectives of the empirical study were threefold, firstly to establish the perceptions of the learners with regard to their mother tongue and language in general. Secondly, the possible consequences of the learners’ negative perceptions about their mother tongue on the future of the language, their culture and the community, was investigated. Lastly, to make recommendations as to how these language attitudes can possibly be changed, from the data. The findings of this study confirm the influence of English on the language and cultural patterns of the learners. It is imperative to change the perceptions that the English language provides the only key to success, lest irrevocable damage be done to our country’s unique language and cultural variety.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Zyl, Renette
- Date: 2009-01-08T13:07:25Z
- Subjects: Language and education , Native language and education , Sociolinguistics , Historical linguistics , Language arts , Multilingualism , Language and culture , Afrikaans language usage , English language usage
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1849
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The current political dispensation in South Africa has, as was the case in the past, undoubtedly had a major influence on the language patterns of the country. The 1996 Constitution now provides official recognition of the main indigenous languages. Despite this entrenchment, there is evidence of a marked shift in language allegiance in favour of English. This study focuses on the language attitudes and perceptions of grade 12 learners in three Afrikaans medium high schools in Johannesburg. In order to achieve the task, a “triangulation approach” was adopted. A literature study was done to provide a backdrop to the understanding of the present language situation. Interviews were conducted with the Afrikaans language teachers of the respondents. Questionnaires were then completed by the learners, as well as by the said teachers. The objectives of the empirical study were threefold, firstly to establish the perceptions of the learners with regard to their mother tongue and language in general. Secondly, the possible consequences of the learners’ negative perceptions about their mother tongue on the future of the language, their culture and the community, was investigated. Lastly, to make recommendations as to how these language attitudes can possibly be changed, from the data. The findings of this study confirm the influence of English on the language and cultural patterns of the learners. It is imperative to change the perceptions that the English language provides the only key to success, lest irrevocable damage be done to our country’s unique language and cultural variety.
- Full Text:
Afrikaans in Argentinië : 'n linguistiese en sosiolinguistiese beskrywing
- Authors: Van Schalkwyk, Rhoda
- Date: 2014-05-21
- Subjects: Afrikaans language - Argentina , Sociolinguistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10746
- Description: M.A. (Afrikaans) , The purpose of this dissertation is to give a Iinguistic and sociolinguistic description of the Afrikaans spoken in the Argentine, henceforth AFR A. The study was undertaken to complement the numerous studies already done of local varieties of Afrikaans as well as the brief study of Strydom (1963) of the Afrikaans spoken by the Angolan "trekkers" who left South Africa before the standardization of Afrikaans. In this study the typologies for the classification of language classification are refined to faciIitate the linguistic classification of AFR A. A group of South Africans left South Africa to settle in the Argentine at the turn of the century. Initially conditions were very severe and the" settlers kept themselyes isolated from the Spanish community. Gradual acculturation resulted in the replacement of AFR A by Spanish, a process that has not been completed yet. To investigate this atrophying linguistic form, sociolinguistic fieldwork based on the work of Haugen (1972), Labov (1972) and Milroy (1980) was undertaken. Data in the form of phonetic transcriptions and tape-recordings was collected during March and ApriI 1986 while a social network was built up. The data was sorted and interpreted after repeated replaying and phonetic transcriptions of the recordings under supervision of the supervisors. Linguistically AFR A can be regarded as an unstable variety of Afrikaans. Variation of vowels and consonants in AFR A are often encountered in dialectal forms of Afrikaans. The influence of Spanish is evident in the vocabulary of AFR A, particularly in the formation of verbs that. are Africanerisms of Spanish infinitive verbs. Hybrids and loanwords in AFR A occur in particular vocabulary domains namely plant and animal life, topography, transport and communication, illness and domestic and civic affairs. The vocabulary of AFR A is, however, an impoverished vocabulary which cannot be used for scientific and abstract discussion. semantically AFR A differs from Afrikaans in that approximately thirty-five words that are used in Afrikaans are used in different contexts in AFR A. Beside numerous expressions that are unique to AFR A, the syntactic markers of AFR A are the over-generalization of ge- as past participle, pronominal repetition and the use of Spanish conjunctions. To classify AFR A Iinguistically existing typologies were refined to facilitate the distinction between different varieties of language on the basis of relevant sociolinguistic parameters. These parameters are represented in pseudo-mathematical form in a formula by which a variety of a language can be classified linguistically. AFR A is classified as an atrophying variety of Afrikaans.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Schalkwyk, Rhoda
- Date: 2014-05-21
- Subjects: Afrikaans language - Argentina , Sociolinguistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10746
- Description: M.A. (Afrikaans) , The purpose of this dissertation is to give a Iinguistic and sociolinguistic description of the Afrikaans spoken in the Argentine, henceforth AFR A. The study was undertaken to complement the numerous studies already done of local varieties of Afrikaans as well as the brief study of Strydom (1963) of the Afrikaans spoken by the Angolan "trekkers" who left South Africa before the standardization of Afrikaans. In this study the typologies for the classification of language classification are refined to faciIitate the linguistic classification of AFR A. A group of South Africans left South Africa to settle in the Argentine at the turn of the century. Initially conditions were very severe and the" settlers kept themselyes isolated from the Spanish community. Gradual acculturation resulted in the replacement of AFR A by Spanish, a process that has not been completed yet. To investigate this atrophying linguistic form, sociolinguistic fieldwork based on the work of Haugen (1972), Labov (1972) and Milroy (1980) was undertaken. Data in the form of phonetic transcriptions and tape-recordings was collected during March and ApriI 1986 while a social network was built up. The data was sorted and interpreted after repeated replaying and phonetic transcriptions of the recordings under supervision of the supervisors. Linguistically AFR A can be regarded as an unstable variety of Afrikaans. Variation of vowels and consonants in AFR A are often encountered in dialectal forms of Afrikaans. The influence of Spanish is evident in the vocabulary of AFR A, particularly in the formation of verbs that. are Africanerisms of Spanish infinitive verbs. Hybrids and loanwords in AFR A occur in particular vocabulary domains namely plant and animal life, topography, transport and communication, illness and domestic and civic affairs. The vocabulary of AFR A is, however, an impoverished vocabulary which cannot be used for scientific and abstract discussion. semantically AFR A differs from Afrikaans in that approximately thirty-five words that are used in Afrikaans are used in different contexts in AFR A. Beside numerous expressions that are unique to AFR A, the syntactic markers of AFR A are the over-generalization of ge- as past participle, pronominal repetition and the use of Spanish conjunctions. To classify AFR A Iinguistically existing typologies were refined to facilitate the distinction between different varieties of language on the basis of relevant sociolinguistic parameters. These parameters are represented in pseudo-mathematical form in a formula by which a variety of a language can be classified linguistically. AFR A is classified as an atrophying variety of Afrikaans.
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Black attitudes towards IsiZulu relating to its use as a communication medium for South Africa
- Authors: Mbokazi, Duduzile Glorious
- Date: 2014-03-18
- Subjects: Zulu language - Social aspects , Sociolinguistics , Blacks - South Africa - Attitudes , Blacks - South Africa - Communication , Lingua francas - South Africa - Public opinion
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9741
- Description: M.A. (African Languages) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbokazi, Duduzile Glorious
- Date: 2014-03-18
- Subjects: Zulu language - Social aspects , Sociolinguistics , Blacks - South Africa - Attitudes , Blacks - South Africa - Communication , Lingua francas - South Africa - Public opinion
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9741
- Description: M.A. (African Languages) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
Fonetiese variasie in die taal van die Rehoboth-basters
- Authors: Van Schalkwyk, Dirk Jacobus
- Date: 2015-10-14
- Subjects: Afrikaans language - Dialects - Namibia , Sociolinguistics , Rehoboth Basters (African people) - Language
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14798
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. (Afrikaans) , Today linguists generally accept that languages change continuously and that variation characterizes language. lt appears from sociolinguistic research done since 1964 that there is a connection between linguistic and social or non-linguistic variables. Even an initial acquaintance with Rehoboth Afrikaans will indicate the general occurrence of variation; yet little research has been done in this area. The only noteworthy study in this field was carried out by J.H. Rademeyer in 1938. Variation, more specifically phonetic variation, is the object of study of this thesis ...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Schalkwyk, Dirk Jacobus
- Date: 2015-10-14
- Subjects: Afrikaans language - Dialects - Namibia , Sociolinguistics , Rehoboth Basters (African people) - Language
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14798
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. (Afrikaans) , Today linguists generally accept that languages change continuously and that variation characterizes language. lt appears from sociolinguistic research done since 1964 that there is a connection between linguistic and social or non-linguistic variables. Even an initial acquaintance with Rehoboth Afrikaans will indicate the general occurrence of variation; yet little research has been done in this area. The only noteworthy study in this field was carried out by J.H. Rademeyer in 1938. Variation, more specifically phonetic variation, is the object of study of this thesis ...
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Kodewisseling tussen Afrikaans en Engels as instrument vir effektiewe kommunikasie : 'n sosiolinguistiese ondersoek
- Authors: Lawrence, Donovan Charles.
- Date: 2012-08-13
- Subjects: Code switching (Linguistics) - South Africa - Worcester , Sociolinguistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9026 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5491
- Description: M.A. , Although codeswitching as an area of sociolinguistic behaviour has become increasingly prevalent in the public and social life of a multilinguistic and multicultural South Africa, it remains an unexplored area. To many codeswitching is something impure which shows the lack of understanding of this phenomenon. Since 1993 students and lecturers at the Sohnge College of Education have been exposed to a new language contact situation between Afrikaans and English. The alternating between Afrikaans and English within the same conversation (codeswitching) is an option that has been taken in an effort to facilitate the communication process. The aim of this study is to indicate the effectiveness of codeswitching as a means of communication in the language use of lecturers at the Sohnge College of Education. A group interview had been conducted in order to establish what the lecturers' ideas and experiences of codeswitching are. Recordings of lectures, tutorials and meetings were made to ascertain when, where and why lecturers codeswitch. The data was analysed with regard to social motivations and linguistic structures. For this the models of Carol Myers- Scotton, one of the leading researchers in the field of codeswitching, were used. These are the Markedness Model (for establishing the social motivations) and the Matrix Language Frame Model (for analysing the linguistic constraints). Given the fact that this study is the first to investigate codeswitching between Afrikaans and English by using the models of Myers—Scotton, one can only hope that this first effort will cast some light on this common and yet unexplored phenomenon of codeswitching between Afrikaans and English.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lawrence, Donovan Charles.
- Date: 2012-08-13
- Subjects: Code switching (Linguistics) - South Africa - Worcester , Sociolinguistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9026 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5491
- Description: M.A. , Although codeswitching as an area of sociolinguistic behaviour has become increasingly prevalent in the public and social life of a multilinguistic and multicultural South Africa, it remains an unexplored area. To many codeswitching is something impure which shows the lack of understanding of this phenomenon. Since 1993 students and lecturers at the Sohnge College of Education have been exposed to a new language contact situation between Afrikaans and English. The alternating between Afrikaans and English within the same conversation (codeswitching) is an option that has been taken in an effort to facilitate the communication process. The aim of this study is to indicate the effectiveness of codeswitching as a means of communication in the language use of lecturers at the Sohnge College of Education. A group interview had been conducted in order to establish what the lecturers' ideas and experiences of codeswitching are. Recordings of lectures, tutorials and meetings were made to ascertain when, where and why lecturers codeswitch. The data was analysed with regard to social motivations and linguistic structures. For this the models of Carol Myers- Scotton, one of the leading researchers in the field of codeswitching, were used. These are the Markedness Model (for establishing the social motivations) and the Matrix Language Frame Model (for analysing the linguistic constraints). Given the fact that this study is the first to investigate codeswitching between Afrikaans and English by using the models of Myers—Scotton, one can only hope that this first effort will cast some light on this common and yet unexplored phenomenon of codeswitching between Afrikaans and English.
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Language and mobility : a study of migrants’ linguistic repertoires and discourses in Windhoek, Namibia
- Authors: Indongo, Julia N.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Language and languages - Variation , Native language and literacy studies , Linguistic minorities - Language , Migration, Internal - Namibia - History , Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/410869 , uj:34502
- Description: Abstract: This study investigates the multilingual profiles of recently arrived migrants to Windhoek, Namibia, and to the author’s knowledge, the study is one of very few to reflect on the relation between language and migration in Namibia from a sociolinguistic perspective. The research questions relate first to the vitality of multilingualism in an African urban space in that it surveys more than 400 respondents regarding their linguistic repertoires and language biographies. The respondents selected for this part of the study were either of foreign African origin or from rural and relatively isolated regions within Namibia, who had been in Windhoek for less than two years. The vitality of languages in a multilingual city such as Windhoek is of interest as the local language policy prioritises English, raising questions on the value of the linguistic repertoires of those with home languages other than English (LotEs) in such an urban context. Particularly, in the second part, the study enquires how migrants’ linguistic repertoires facilitate or inhibit their social and economic integration. Here, the study relies on 25 recorded interviews with selected respondents for more detailed information that develops insight into how migration trajectories contribute to shaping linguistic proficiencies, and also how knowledge of various indigenous or other language(s) shape the migrants’ life chances by providing them with access to different ways of earning a livelihood. This part of the study takes a qualitative approach. Methodologically, information on the linguistic repertoires of newly arrived migrants was collected per survey among relatively vulnerable migrants who were making a living in informal settings such as in trading, security work or in construction. Second, from the group surveyed, 25 were selected for interviews in which more detailed data and a contribution of more depth could be gained. Survey data was used to give an overview of language vitality through the repertoires and biographies that respondents described. A thematic analysis of the interviews shows which kind of topics migrants introduced in connection with language, their mobility and their abilities to survive in Windhoek. In addition, the interview data is critically analysed, particularly relying on postcolonial theory. iv | P a g e The study reveals that Windhoek can indeed by characterised as a multilingual city in which indigenous Namibian languages are vibrantly used, and even foreign migrants still use their mother tongues in private as well as public domains. However, to secure economic opportunities, most agreed that knowledge of English is vital. Also, the study finds that different language repertoires are vital in different suburbs and areas of employment. For instance, Oshiwambo is mostly helpful for those operating in Katutura. For the vendors operating in Khomasdal, knowledge of Afrikaans is helpful, and in town suburbs English is the most facilitating language. Except for knowledge of Oshiwambo for those trading in Katutura, according to the migrants, the Namibian indigenous languages do not carry any benefit in settling and securing jobs in Windhoek. Foreign language speakers depend solely on English for settling and securing employment as they do not know Afrikaans or Oshiwambo and knowledge of their vernacular languages is hardly relevant in the employment sector of Windhoek. The mobility of the migrants who know their first language (L1) only is limited to Katutura. They work and are accommodated there. The migrants who know English well, especially the Zimbabwean migrants, move around the entire city of Windhoek to sell their products. Only the migrants (both Namibian and foreigners) who know English and/or Afrikaans find formal employment, while those whose linguistic resources are limited in the economically dominant languages are street vendors who do not even attempt to seek further employment. The study finds that postcolonial perspectives persist that afford little value to African cultural capital. Not only do the former and current powerholders perpetuate ideologies of European languages’ superiority; even the indigenous language speakers themselves, in given circumstances, internalise the perception that their first languages are of lesser value. In spite of such tenacious views of the lesser value of certain languages, the vibrancy in use and maintenance of local languages is remarkable. The study concludes that if English remains to be officially promoted, at the cost of Namibian indigenous languages in public spaces such as education and formal workplaces, as well as at the cost of recognising the value of other African languages that migrants from neighbouring countries nurture, there could be detrimental effects. Indigenous language speakers may, as parents, choose to raise v | P a g e their children in English only, to improve their life chances and upward mobility in Windhoek. Also, L1 speakers of indigenous languages may currently and continuously, on the basis of their linguistic repertoires, be denied access to educational and employment opportunities to which they should have a natural right. Therefore, this study delivers a strong message to language policy designers and those implementing a restrictive language policy in a linguistically diverse community. The community is multilingual – this should be seen as a valuable resource, and should not be used as a discriminatory measure. , D.Phil. (Linguistics)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Indongo, Julia N.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Language and languages - Variation , Native language and literacy studies , Linguistic minorities - Language , Migration, Internal - Namibia - History , Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/410869 , uj:34502
- Description: Abstract: This study investigates the multilingual profiles of recently arrived migrants to Windhoek, Namibia, and to the author’s knowledge, the study is one of very few to reflect on the relation between language and migration in Namibia from a sociolinguistic perspective. The research questions relate first to the vitality of multilingualism in an African urban space in that it surveys more than 400 respondents regarding their linguistic repertoires and language biographies. The respondents selected for this part of the study were either of foreign African origin or from rural and relatively isolated regions within Namibia, who had been in Windhoek for less than two years. The vitality of languages in a multilingual city such as Windhoek is of interest as the local language policy prioritises English, raising questions on the value of the linguistic repertoires of those with home languages other than English (LotEs) in such an urban context. Particularly, in the second part, the study enquires how migrants’ linguistic repertoires facilitate or inhibit their social and economic integration. Here, the study relies on 25 recorded interviews with selected respondents for more detailed information that develops insight into how migration trajectories contribute to shaping linguistic proficiencies, and also how knowledge of various indigenous or other language(s) shape the migrants’ life chances by providing them with access to different ways of earning a livelihood. This part of the study takes a qualitative approach. Methodologically, information on the linguistic repertoires of newly arrived migrants was collected per survey among relatively vulnerable migrants who were making a living in informal settings such as in trading, security work or in construction. Second, from the group surveyed, 25 were selected for interviews in which more detailed data and a contribution of more depth could be gained. Survey data was used to give an overview of language vitality through the repertoires and biographies that respondents described. A thematic analysis of the interviews shows which kind of topics migrants introduced in connection with language, their mobility and their abilities to survive in Windhoek. In addition, the interview data is critically analysed, particularly relying on postcolonial theory. iv | P a g e The study reveals that Windhoek can indeed by characterised as a multilingual city in which indigenous Namibian languages are vibrantly used, and even foreign migrants still use their mother tongues in private as well as public domains. However, to secure economic opportunities, most agreed that knowledge of English is vital. Also, the study finds that different language repertoires are vital in different suburbs and areas of employment. For instance, Oshiwambo is mostly helpful for those operating in Katutura. For the vendors operating in Khomasdal, knowledge of Afrikaans is helpful, and in town suburbs English is the most facilitating language. Except for knowledge of Oshiwambo for those trading in Katutura, according to the migrants, the Namibian indigenous languages do not carry any benefit in settling and securing jobs in Windhoek. Foreign language speakers depend solely on English for settling and securing employment as they do not know Afrikaans or Oshiwambo and knowledge of their vernacular languages is hardly relevant in the employment sector of Windhoek. The mobility of the migrants who know their first language (L1) only is limited to Katutura. They work and are accommodated there. The migrants who know English well, especially the Zimbabwean migrants, move around the entire city of Windhoek to sell their products. Only the migrants (both Namibian and foreigners) who know English and/or Afrikaans find formal employment, while those whose linguistic resources are limited in the economically dominant languages are street vendors who do not even attempt to seek further employment. The study finds that postcolonial perspectives persist that afford little value to African cultural capital. Not only do the former and current powerholders perpetuate ideologies of European languages’ superiority; even the indigenous language speakers themselves, in given circumstances, internalise the perception that their first languages are of lesser value. In spite of such tenacious views of the lesser value of certain languages, the vibrancy in use and maintenance of local languages is remarkable. The study concludes that if English remains to be officially promoted, at the cost of Namibian indigenous languages in public spaces such as education and formal workplaces, as well as at the cost of recognising the value of other African languages that migrants from neighbouring countries nurture, there could be detrimental effects. Indigenous language speakers may, as parents, choose to raise v | P a g e their children in English only, to improve their life chances and upward mobility in Windhoek. Also, L1 speakers of indigenous languages may currently and continuously, on the basis of their linguistic repertoires, be denied access to educational and employment opportunities to which they should have a natural right. Therefore, this study delivers a strong message to language policy designers and those implementing a restrictive language policy in a linguistically diverse community. The community is multilingual – this should be seen as a valuable resource, and should not be used as a discriminatory measure. , D.Phil. (Linguistics)
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Psigolinguistiese en sosiolinguistiese perspektiewe op taalonderrig in 'n multikulturele skoolsituasie
- Authors: Moore-Swanepoel, Elmarie
- Date: 2012-08-16
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Multicultural education -- South Africa , Sociolinguistics , Psycholinguistics.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6009
- Description: M.A. , The changing circumstances in South Africa up to date can be seen as the inspiration for the investigation of how language teaching, and language learning is affected by this. Dramatic reform is taking place in South Africa regarding changing political and constitutional views on education, with a rapidly increasing trend towards Multicultural education. Multicultural education is a trend that has manifested itself worldwide. The primary goal is to accommodate pupils of diverse and different cultures in one education system. Language teaching must therefore also change in order for it to still be sensible and useful for the learner with regard to future consideration eg. higher learning, career opportunities and everyday communication. This study investigated the possibility that certain relevant aspects from the fields of psychology and sociology have an effect on the way a learner acquires/learns the language, in this instance Afrikaans First Language. Furthermore the study also examines the way which the teacher has to adapt/adjust to these different influences in his/her method of teaching. From an applied linguistic perspective, we find that language skills form part of the language user's communicative competence. This study endeavours to place language teaching within the framework of a communicative approach to language teaching with the emphasis on the needs of the language learner, the functionality of the acquired skills (to eventually eradicate illiteracy and communicative incompetence) and the active participation of the language learner in the teaching activities (discussions, debates, projects etc.).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moore-Swanepoel, Elmarie
- Date: 2012-08-16
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Multicultural education -- South Africa , Sociolinguistics , Psycholinguistics.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6009
- Description: M.A. , The changing circumstances in South Africa up to date can be seen as the inspiration for the investigation of how language teaching, and language learning is affected by this. Dramatic reform is taking place in South Africa regarding changing political and constitutional views on education, with a rapidly increasing trend towards Multicultural education. Multicultural education is a trend that has manifested itself worldwide. The primary goal is to accommodate pupils of diverse and different cultures in one education system. Language teaching must therefore also change in order for it to still be sensible and useful for the learner with regard to future consideration eg. higher learning, career opportunities and everyday communication. This study investigated the possibility that certain relevant aspects from the fields of psychology and sociology have an effect on the way a learner acquires/learns the language, in this instance Afrikaans First Language. Furthermore the study also examines the way which the teacher has to adapt/adjust to these different influences in his/her method of teaching. From an applied linguistic perspective, we find that language skills form part of the language user's communicative competence. This study endeavours to place language teaching within the framework of a communicative approach to language teaching with the emphasis on the needs of the language learner, the functionality of the acquired skills (to eventually eradicate illiteracy and communicative incompetence) and the active participation of the language learner in the teaching activities (discussions, debates, projects etc.).
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’n Perseptuele verslag van Afrikaans in Namibië : tussen lingua franca en sosiaal-ekslusiewe taal
- Stell, Gerald, Groenewald, Gerald
- Authors: Stell, Gerald , Groenewald, Gerald
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Namibia , Sociolinguistics , Afrikaans
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214904 , uj:21339 , Citation: Stell, G & Groenewald, G. 2016. ’n Perseptuele verslag van Afrikaans in Namibië : tussen lingua franca en sosiaal-ekslusiewe taal.
- Description: Abstract: A perceptual account of Afrikaans in Namibia: Between lingua franca and socially exclusive language. Afrikaans was first introduced in Namibia’s current territory by migrant Oorlam and Baster groups who imposed it in its Cape Dutch form as a prestige language and inter-ethnic medium of communication. The status of Afrikaans in Namibia was consolidated during the South African regime which systematically promoted it while preventing indigenous languages from spreading out of their intra-ethnic contexts of use. A linguistic consequence of independence, which Namibia gained in 1990, was that English suddenly became the country’s only official language, as well as the dominant language in education. Despite the hegemonic status that English acquired in Namibia, Afrikaans is today still popularly represented as the main lingua franca in Namibia, or at least as an important one. However, the position of Afrikaans in urban areas could nowadays be under threat from the sustained influx of migrants from Namibia’s northern districts, including those that constitute the traditional homeland of the Ovambo, the country’s numerically dominant group, where English is better known than Afrikaans. An indication of the pressure that Afrikaans might be subject to in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, is the demographic preponderance that the Ovambo group has locally acquired within the last three decades. Based on a qualitative survey conducted among an ethnoracially representative sample of young Namibians, this article provides a description of the status and use of Afrikaans in contemporary Windhoek, as well as a reflection on its potential for locally maintaining itself as a lingua franca. It generally shows that Afrikaans has to compete with English in that function, while indigenous languages are still largely restricted to intra-ethnic contexts of use. Afrikaans is clearly perceived as the lingua franca with more “covert prestige” in that it is associated with informality and a sense of local identity. By contrast, English is generally associated with overt prestige and formal functions, and it is characteristically used as a lingua franca within groups that do not understand Afrikaans, such as among particular Ovambo migrants...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stell, Gerald , Groenewald, Gerald
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Namibia , Sociolinguistics , Afrikaans
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214904 , uj:21339 , Citation: Stell, G & Groenewald, G. 2016. ’n Perseptuele verslag van Afrikaans in Namibië : tussen lingua franca en sosiaal-ekslusiewe taal.
- Description: Abstract: A perceptual account of Afrikaans in Namibia: Between lingua franca and socially exclusive language. Afrikaans was first introduced in Namibia’s current territory by migrant Oorlam and Baster groups who imposed it in its Cape Dutch form as a prestige language and inter-ethnic medium of communication. The status of Afrikaans in Namibia was consolidated during the South African regime which systematically promoted it while preventing indigenous languages from spreading out of their intra-ethnic contexts of use. A linguistic consequence of independence, which Namibia gained in 1990, was that English suddenly became the country’s only official language, as well as the dominant language in education. Despite the hegemonic status that English acquired in Namibia, Afrikaans is today still popularly represented as the main lingua franca in Namibia, or at least as an important one. However, the position of Afrikaans in urban areas could nowadays be under threat from the sustained influx of migrants from Namibia’s northern districts, including those that constitute the traditional homeland of the Ovambo, the country’s numerically dominant group, where English is better known than Afrikaans. An indication of the pressure that Afrikaans might be subject to in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, is the demographic preponderance that the Ovambo group has locally acquired within the last three decades. Based on a qualitative survey conducted among an ethnoracially representative sample of young Namibians, this article provides a description of the status and use of Afrikaans in contemporary Windhoek, as well as a reflection on its potential for locally maintaining itself as a lingua franca. It generally shows that Afrikaans has to compete with English in that function, while indigenous languages are still largely restricted to intra-ethnic contexts of use. Afrikaans is clearly perceived as the lingua franca with more “covert prestige” in that it is associated with informality and a sense of local identity. By contrast, English is generally associated with overt prestige and formal functions, and it is characteristically used as a lingua franca within groups that do not understand Afrikaans, such as among particular Ovambo migrants...
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