The place of English in relation to other languages in South Mrica
Abstract
English is undeniably important in tenns of fulfilling particular functions, but it does not, on its own, cater for the complex linguistic needs of a multilingual society. Experience elsewhere in Africa has shown that an assimilationist and/or interactional perspective is a dangerous position to adopt. It is unlikely to serve best the interests of the majority of South Africans. Two case studies (Zimbabwe and Nigeria) are used to argue this position. In South Africa the multilingual policy that is likely to be adopted may result in a continued hegemony of English. A proactive policy of establishing multilinguasm as resource is advocated instead in the interests of future democracy. Engels is ongetwyfeld belangrik in tenne van die verskeidenheid funksies wat dit vervul, maar dit kan nie op sigseif voorsiening maak vir die komplekse behoeftes van 'n multi-linguistiese gemeenskap nie. Ondervinding elders in Afrika het getoon dat 'n uitgangspunt wat of op assimilasie 6f op interaksie gebaseer is, nie die gewenste uitwerking mag he nie. Dit is onwaarskynllk dat dit die belange van die meerderheid Suid-Afrikaners optimaal sal dien. Twee gevallestudies (Zimbabwe en Nigerie) word gebmik om hierdie standpunt te ondersk:ryf. In Suid-Afrika mag die multi-linguistiese beleid wat waarskynlik aanvaar sal word, lei tot die hegemonie van Engels. In die belang van 'n toekomstige demokrasie word 'n pro-aktiewe beleid, wat multi-linguisme as redmiddel vestig, eerder voorgestaan.Downloads
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