Due to the spread of English to so many parts of the world which was triggered during the colonial era and by migration of English-speaking people, the importance of English not only as a language of commerce, science and technology but also as an international language of communication has been realized (Platt, Weber, Ho 1984:1). This world-wide expansion of English means that it is now one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with well over four hundred million native speakers and roughly the same number who speak it as a second language (Barber 2000:236). Consequently, many varieties of English evolved which also means that English is used for many different purposes in varying social contexts. Whereas in North America, Australia and New Zealand the native English-language speakers outnumbered the original inhabitants (Amerindians, Australian Aborigines, Maoris), the native English-speaking community in South Africa is small with a vast majority of the population speaking Afrikaans and indigenous Bantu languages such as Zulu or Xhosa. In spite of this, South African English has undergone relatively little influence from the other languages of the country due to the long period of British domination and the cultural prestige of English (237). Therefore, social variations in the English language in South Africa are extant with very little regional variation.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 English in South Africa
2.1 Historical background
2.2 Sociolinguistic history of South African English
3 A multilingual society and its ethnical background
3.1 The formation of Afrikaans
3.2 Black South African English
3.3 The Bantu languages: Xhosa and Zulu
4 English as a means of linguistic imperialism
5 Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This thesis examines the role and development of the English language in South Africa, analyzing its historical evolution, its sociolinguistic characteristics across different ethnic communities, and the critical perspective of English as a tool for linguistic imperialism within a multilingual society.
- Historical evolution of English in the South African context
- Sociophonetic profile and varieties of South African English
- Formation and characteristics of Afrikaans
- Linguistic features and institutionalization of Black South African English
- Impact of Bantu languages and the concept of linguistic imperialism
Excerpt from the Book
Black South African English
BSAE is generally regarded today as the variety of English commonly used by mother-tongue speakers of South Africa’s indigenous African languages in areas where English is not the language of the majority. It is also commonly referred to as a “new” English, whose roots lie in the history of the teaching of English to the black people of South Africa (de Klerk 2002:25). Consequently, limited contact with native-speaker norms has resulted in certain characteristic patterns of pronunciation and syntax (traceable to the mother tongue) being entrenched as norms of spoken BSAE, with consequential lowering of levels of comprehensibility. In order to define and describe BSAE as a variety of English in South Africa, it is important to note that there are nine different indigenous black languages in South Africa (Ndebele, Swazi, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu) and although these form four language families (Sotho, Nguni, Venda and Tsonga) whose members share some characteristics, the language families themselves differ. Besides, it is also important to relate to the differences in competence among BSAE speakers, ranging from complete fluency to minimal levels of proficiency, limited to a few rudimentary formulaic phrases (26). Since most speakers of African languages encounter very little English of any kind, it is often argued that on the whole they do not speak a recognizable variety of BSAE, but that each individual arrives at a different stage on a learner-language continuum (Gough in de Klerk 1996: 54) and that BSAE varieties, such as Xhosa English, Zulu English, Swazi English, etc. differ, depending on the mother-tongue of the speakers.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the global spread of English and establishes the thesis's purpose, which is to investigate the status and influence of English in South Africa before, during, and after the apartheid era.
2 English in South Africa: The chapter provides a historical and sociolinguistic overview of English in South Africa, tracing its establishment from European colonization and analyzing its subsequent development as various local language varieties.
3 A multilingual society and its ethnical background: This section explores the ethnic and linguistic diversity of South Africa, specifically detailing the evolution of Afrikaans, the emergence of Black South African English, and the influence of major Bantu languages like Xhosa and Zulu.
4 English as a means of linguistic imperialism: The chapter discusses the critical perspective of whether the dominance of English in South Africa functions as a form of linguistic imperialism that reinforces structural and cultural inequalities.
5 Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the main findings, emphasizing that English in South Africa is an institutionalized variety that must be recognized for its local characteristics while navigating the tension between its role as a global language and its potential for promoting linguistic hegemony.
Keywords
South Africa, English language, Black South African English, Afrikaans, linguistic imperialism, sociolinguistics, Bantu languages, Xhosa, Zulu, apartheid, language policy, multilingualism, language contact, phonology, syntax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis explores the historical development, sociolinguistic profile, and status of the English language in South Africa, focusing on how different ethnic groups have interacted with English and the sociopolitical implications thereof.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the impact of colonialism on language, the development of South African English varieties, the linguistic and ethnic diversity of South Africa, and the debate surrounding English as an instrument of linguistic imperialism.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary aim is to show how English has functioned throughout South Africa's history, examining its dual role as a medium for communication and potential access, as well as a tool for social and linguistic hierarchy.
Which scientific methodologies were employed?
The author primarily utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing existing sociolinguistic literature and empirical studies to characterize varieties like Black South African English and the sociophonetic profiles of the region.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body systematically analyzes the historical background of English and Afrikaans, the unique development of Black South African English (BSAE), the influence of Xhosa and Zulu, and the theoretical arguments surrounding linguistic imperialism.
How would you describe the key characteristics of the thesis?
The work is characterized by its historical grounding, focus on institutionalized varieties of English, and a critical analysis of language policy and ethnic power dynamics in a post-apartheid context.
How does the author define the formation of Afrikaans?
The author describes Afrikaans as a Germanic language that developed on South African soil, shaped by contact between Dutch settlers, indigenous Khoikhoi, Bantu-speaking slaves, and later influences from English, French, and German.
What is the significance of the "Molteno Project" mentioned in the text?
The project was founded in 1974 to evaluate and improve the competence of black teachers and pupils in English as a second language, specifically addressing the failure rates caused by inadequate materials during the Bantu education era.
Why is the concept of linguistic imperialism central to the author's argument?
It is used to critically assess how the promotion and dominance of English can exacerbate structural and cultural inequalities, effectively marginalizing indigenous languages and reinforcing power differentials in society.
- Quote paper
- Hildegard Schnell (Author), 2009, English in South Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128948
