Title: Language in South Africa
Subtitle: The role of language in national transformation,
          reconstruction and development
Series Title: IMPACT: Studies in Language and Society

Publication Year: 2002
Publisher: John Benjamins
          http://www.benjamins.com/

Author: Victor  Webb

Hardback: ISBN: 9027218498, Pages: xxviii, 357 pp., Price: EUR 110.00
Hardback: ISBN: 158811189X, Pages: xxviii, 357 pp., Price: USD 99.00

Abstract:

Language in South Africa (LiSA) debates the role of language and
language planning in the reconstruction, development and
transformation of post-apartheid democratic South Africa. The 1996
constitution of South Africa is founded on the political philosophy of
pluralism and is directed at promoting democratic values, equity and
non-discrimination, human rights, national unity and the development
of all the country's communities. The question asked in LiSA is how
language planning can contribute towards the attainment of these
national ideals. Set against the language political realities of the
country -- the a-symmetric power relations between the languages; the
striking differences in the structural; functional and symbolic
adaptation of the official languages; and the many language-related
problems in the country -- it debates the role of language in state
administration, national integration, educational development and
economic development. The volume concludes with a discussion of
language development and language management.


Table of Contents

List of figures, tables, abbreviations, notes on terms, examples of
languages, acknowledgements and maps xi
Preface  1
1. Invisible voices: The problem of language in South Africa  5
2. Exploring the maze: The macro-context for language policy and
  language planning in South Africa 37
3. The nature of things: A sociolinguistic profile of South Africa 63
4. For the people, by the people: Language and state administration 99
5. The power of one: Language and nation  137
6. Growing potential: Language in education  169
7. Spreading the wealth: Language and economic development  217
8. Giving voice: Language promotion  243
9. Steering the course: Language management  281
Bibliography  315
Index  347

Lingfield(s): Language Planning (Sociolinguistics), Sociolinguistics

Written In:  English (Language Code: ENG)