Prys om te betaal? Die belang van historiese taalnavorsing in 'n etnies verdeelde samelewing

Abstract

Since 1994 Afrikaans shares its status as official language not only with English but also with nine indigenous languages. However, this democratic multi-lingualism does not seem to function in practice. English seems to be usurping more and more of the official and high language functions to the detriment of the other indigenous languages, Afrikaans included. According to Gerwel (2004: 5) the vitality of Afrikaans is an important index of reconciliation and the building of a new nation. In this article the position of Afrikaans is briefly discussed. The article concludes with a section in which certain suggestions are made as to how departments of Afrikaans and Dutch should position themselves in the light of the present stigmatisation of Afrikaans. It is suggested that the cross-cultural and interracial nature of the history of Standard Afrikaans should be extensively researched.