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). In my research paper I will provide an overview of the English language in South Africa by looking at its origins concerning the historical background. Furthermore, I am going to focus on the English language in South Africa in more detail in order to point out the influence of the immigrants’ speech from England and Scotland on some phonetic features of South African English. Eventually, I am going to discuss whether the spread of English can be seen as an evidence of a “killer language” which has been used as a tool for subtle linguistic imperialism, occurring at the expense of local languages, stabilizing hierarchical structures and reinforcing existing status differentials (de Klerk 1996: 7-8).
So, the main purpose of my paper is to show that the English language in South Africa before, during and after apartheid policy is one of the official languages since there is more than one local language in a multilingual nation. While English in South Africa is seen by many “as a medium of achieving and announcing independence and maturity, for many others English represent colonialism, power and elitism, and acts as a vehicle of values not always in harmony with local traditions and beliefs” (de Klerk 1996: 7).
In this chapter, I will focus on the historical and social background of the English language in South Africa in regard to different language varieties. In the following, based on Roger Lass’s article “South African English”, I will, as I mentioned before, refer to the historical background of the English language in South Africa and so discuss the aspect of different language varieties that were influenced by the English language. Then, concerning L.W. Lanham’s The Standard in South African English and its Social History, I will point out in which way the English language developed there. By referring to the historical background in more detail, I will eventually focus on Josef Schmied’s English in Africa, thus stressing the strategic importance of South Africa for the British.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 English in South Africa
2.1 Historical background
2.2 The English language in South Africa
3 The South African community
3.1 Ethnical structure and language
3.2 A multilingual society
3.3 English: A “Killer Language” in a multilingual context?
4 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this research paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the English language within the unique sociolinguistic landscape of South Africa. The paper examines the historical origins of English in the region, explores its multifaceted role as both a medium of international communication and a symbol of colonial power, and investigates the impact of linguistic diversity on national identity and social structure.
- Historical evolution and establishment of English in South Africa.
- Sociolinguistic dynamics of a diverse, multilingual society.
- Contradictory perceptions of English as a vehicle for empowerment versus linguistic imperialism.
- Analysis of the "Killer Language" hypothesis in the context of indigenous language retention.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Historical background
In this paragraph, I would like to begin with an historical overview of how English came to be established in South Africa with reference to its roots. In his article “South African English”, Roger Lass points out that in 1652 the Dutch East India Company settlers brought Dutch as the first Germanic language spoken to South Africa (Lass in Mesthrie 1995: 92). Later on a Dutch speech pattern was maintained which has remained widely spoken “in its subsequent guise of Afrikaans” (92). Besides the Dutch arrival at the Cape in 1652, a second Germanic language namely English was brought to South Africa by the British military forces. This second Germanic invasion happened because of the Cape’s strategic importance for controlling the Cape sea-route to India. Therefore, the British occupied the Dutch colony at the Cape in 1795/96 and after returning it to Holland in 1802, the Cape became British again (by legal treaties) in 1815/16. The reason why the British took over the Dutch colony at the Cape was not only the Cape’s strategic value, as I mentioned before, but also its position.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the global spread of English and defines the paper's goal to explore its specific historical, social, and phonetic development within South Africa.
2 English in South Africa: This section details the historical establishment of English, comparing the influence of British settlers with the Dutch-speaking community to explain the emergence of distinct local language varieties.
3 The South African community: This core chapter analyzes the complex ethnic structure of the nation and the sociolinguistic consequences of managing a multilingual society under the shadow of the apartheid era.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the research findings, highlighting the "linguistic schizophrenia" present in the region and the dual role of English as a source of division and a unifying lingua franca.
Keywords
South African English, Linguistic imperialism, Apartheid policy, Multilingualism, Ethnic identity, Language varieties, Historical linguistics, Colonialism, Afrikaans, Indigenous languages, Sociolinguistics, Language contact, Communication, Official languages, Cultural identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the development and social status of the English language in South Africa, focusing on how it interacts with the nation's historical, ethnic, and multilingual complexities.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the historical background of English colonization, the emergence of local language varieties, the sociolinguistic impact of the apartheid regime, and the ongoing debate regarding the status of English as a "killer language".
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to explore the contradictory attitudes toward English in South Africa, acknowledging its role as a tool for both political empowerment and historical colonial dominance.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The research is a qualitative review and analysis based on existing sociolinguistic literature, historical studies, and academic articles by scholars such as Rajend Mesthrie, L.W. Lanham, and Vivian de Klerk.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body investigates the historical arrival of the British, the establishment of language varieties like "Extreme SAE", the ethnic diversity of the South African population, and the function of language during and after the apartheid era.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as South African English, multilingualism, linguistic imperialism, ethnic identity, and colonial history.
How did the British colonial presence affect the status of the Dutch language?
The British implemented policies to anglicize the region, which forced the Dutch-speaking community to adapt; this pressure eventually contributed to the evolution of Afrikaans as a distinct language.
Why is the "Killer Language" concept considered controversial in this study?
The study concludes that the "killer language" label is an oversimplification, as English also serves as a necessary unifying lingua franca that helps bridge divides between speakers of various indigenous Bantu languages.
- Quote paper
- Hildegard Schnell (Author), 2006, Aspects of the English language in South Africa - focusing on language identity and language varieties, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70223
