A sociolinguistic profile of Mamelodi and Atteridgeville : its role in language policy development at local government level

Abstract

This research project seeks to gain insight into the sociolinguistic realities of Mamelodi and Atteridgeville, two residential areas that resort under the Tshwane Metropolitan Council's jurisdiction (formerly known as the Greater Pretoria Metropolitan Area) - including reference to language use, knowledge, behaviour, status and attitudes. A questionnaire reflecting the principles of inter-methodological cross-validation was developed as research instrument in order to attain a sociolinguistic profile of the areas under investigation. The gathering, analysis, and verification of the research results took place against the background of extensive literature study, as well as the implementation of both quantitative (interpretation and analysis of numerical data) and qualitative (questionnaire format resembling a structured interview) methods. Other general aims of this research project are to provide local decision-makers with information that might aid the language planning process, and to provide a future basis for comparison to identify the occurrence of potential sociolinguistic change. The planning and implementation of a local language policy cannot occur in isolation, and it is therefore necessary to set the background against which language-related decisions are made - on local and international level. The challenges faced by the South African government are inseparably linked to matters evolving around the role of language in governance, education, economy and development. It will be argued that South Africa formally committed itself to multilingualism by entrenching it in the Constitution and in the proposed Languages Bill. It will furthermore be argued that languages have a market value and are thus to be regarded as economic resources. If the national ideals are to be met in terms of democratically developing the nation, all citizens must have equal access to all the rights and privileges of the country. In order to realise the strategic goals listed in the proposed South African Languages Bill, namely to facilitate individual empowerment and national development, and to facilitate economic development via the promotion of multilingualism, it is thus imperative that the Tshwane Municipal Council implements and enforces language policies that reflect these goals. Since municipalities must take into account the language usage and preferences of their residents and at least use two official languages - the logical conclusion is that a plan of language policy implementation should be supported and institutionalised by means of legislation and other measures. The Tshwane Metropolitan Council, and all other municipal structures - by implementing reality-based language policies that meet the developmental needs of its citizens by promoting and investing in multilingualism - will ascertain equal access to knowledge and skills. The ultimate purpose of this whole debate surrounding language planning and policy implementation in a multilingual African state is not merely to arrive at a theoretical linguistic solution, but rather to meet the socio-economic developmental needs of its people.