The Many Languages and Communication in South Africa
English and Afrikaans represent South Africa’s two official languages, but there are many other languages within South Africa. The white population mainly speaks the two official languages the black and Asian populations speak a much wider variety of languages. English is used more frequently in the commercial sense and so is printed advertising even the advertising that is directed at the population that is not white. While English is used in printed advertising other forms of advertising are not so singular. Radio advertising is broadcast in nine different African languages, and television advertising is conducted in five of those languages. The use of African language advertising and broadcasting is likely to increase in order to reach more black consumers. The predominant African languages are Xhosa (16 percent), Zulu (36 percent), Northern Sotho (14 percent), Southern Sotho (11 percent), Swazi (4 percent), Tswana (8 percent), Shangaan/Tsonga (5 percent), Northern Ndebele (1 percent), Southern Ndebele (2 percent), and Venda (1 percent). Languages spoken by the Asian population include Tamil (2 percent), Hindi (2 percent), Gujerati (2 percent), and Urdu (1 percent).
In Business the two official languages of English and Afrikaans dominate most transactions. The majority of firms in South Africa engage in business using both languages. Most of the white population also is fluent in both languages, while a considerable proportion of the nonwhite population speaks English and Afrikaans as well. There is some language sensitivity in South Africa, particularly among the Afrikaners population; to appease this sensitivity many companies print much of their literature, including annual statements, in both languages.
At the center of communication within South Africa lie differences. The differences not only between the multitude of languages, but the differences in people. You cannot address the issue of communication without coming back the subject that lies at the heart of most cultural implications within South Africa, race. With South Africa being the last country to abolish the integration of government and racism the animosity and distrust still runs rampant. Even in the United States where the archaic system of governmental racism was abolished far before South Africa there lies a multitude of problems in cross-cultural communication. These differences must be taken into account if a person is to be successful managing in South Africa. There are even differences among the whites in South Africa.
“Communicating can be a very complex and intricate process involving the exchange of messages between interactants, both verbally and nonverbally” (2013).When effectively communicating in a culturally diverse workplace; it is important to understand the people in the different culture may not communicate in the same manner as another would. Each cultur...
...f South African language and culture, acknowledgement of the racial oppression in South Africa, past and present, that it was wrong and positive action is required to make it right, and finally that all South Africans are legitimate and enjoy full moral equality (“About – DA”). In order for all this to be possible, the state must ensure it does not compromise the freedom of the individual (“About – DA”).
The African continent has the second greatest population in the world, at about one billion people. Well over one thousand languages are spoken by the people of Africa. Some estimates put this number closer to two thousand. Africa is by no means the most ethnically diverse country in the world, the country remains a complex blend of different races, cultural identities, languages and ethnic bonds (“Race, Ethnicity and Language in Africa”).
Roger, O (2008). The Apartheid Handbook (2nd ed.). Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books. pp. 102–109. ISBN 0-14-022749-0.
Intercultural communication is an evolving discipline that occurs between individuals from contrasting backgrounds. It include...
Some South Africans speak Afrikaans, a language that was developed from Dutch. Europeans in African speak Portuguese, French, and English (Fetzer A-102). English is becoming very recognized in the countries of Africa. The 1991 South African Census concluded that 45% of the people in South Africa have a speaking knowledge of English. It also concluded that 10% refer to English as their “mother-tongue”. The most common languages in South Africa are Xhosa, Tswana, Zulu, and Swahili (African Languages).
From World War II to the early 1990's, South Africa was one of the last nations that still had institutionalized white racism. Fifteen percent of South African population was made up of the Afrikaners and English who were in power over the blacks (74%),
The way people communicate varies widely between, and even within, cultures. One aspect of communication style is language usage. Language has always been perceived as a link between people but it can also constitute a barrier. Across cultures, some words and phrases are used in different ways. For example, even in countries that share the English language, the meaning of "yes" varies from "maybe, I'll consider it" to "definitely so," with many shades in between . Furthermore, communication between cultures which do not share the same language is considerably more difficult . Each culture, has its distinct syntax, expressions and structure which causes confusion in intercultural communication. For example , in Asian countries the word “no” is rarely used, so that “yea” can mean “no” or “perhaps”. Therefore, an American traveling to Japan might be considered impolite if he ignores this rule. Furthermore, individuals who are not comfortable with a certain language may not be taken seriously. Such is the case in the classroom, where a student who has a perfect knowledge of the subject in question may have difficulty expressing his idea due to his inability to write properly and therefore he would not receive the grade he truly deserves. Similarly intercultural communication is dominant in the workplace. In the past, many companies and organizations could operate entirely within their country of origin and conduct their activities exclusively in their own native language. But now, due...
Racial discrepancies have not ceased over the course of history, but are indubitably showing signs of eventual termination. While the people of South Africa are without question still struggling for more superlative equality, the worst of the abhorrent lack of equilibrium has most likely passed. The unjust laws have been abolished, and the government has been altered to fit a united group of human beings rather than separate classes, but racism is a quality from inside a person that cannot be extinguished by any laws or restrictions.
The strength of a nation is not established by the force of its military, economic standing, or government, but rather how its citizens are regarded. In order to attain strength, a nation must respect the principle of solidarity; the power of one voice. For without a defined sense of unity, a society is likely to crumble. Unfortunately, as seen throughout history, civilization has often made it their mission to seek out the differences in one another instead of accepting them. This fear of the unknown has led to humankind’s most despicable behavior; the separation of individuals due to their physical attributes. “Racism is mans gravest threat to man...the maximum of hatred for a minimum reason -Abraham Heschel .” Not only has racism allowed unproven ideologies to spread, but it has also lead to the disintegration of civilizations. Sadly, such tragic events have been a prevalent part in the history of Africa. Perhaps, one of the most blatant forms of racism occurred in South Africa, during the period of Apartheid. From 1948 to 1994 non-white Africans were subjected to horrific treatment, enforced by the South African National Party. The repulsive forms of racial segregation in South Africa, resulting from race and color, not only oppressed the colored majority group, but also denied them of any rights or human dignity.
Society and the way it works has changed tremendously over the years. Business between countries has grown and connections have grown with it as well.The world is a boundless place full of many different cultures and has “roughly 6,900” languages around the world that are all unique in their own way (source B). Although there is an overwhelming
A decree issued by the Bantu Education in 1976 caused major upset amongst black South African students, leading to their opposition and ultimate protest of marching against this decree which imposed Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in half the subjects in both primary and middle schools. Not only that, but members at the time of the ruling National Party spoke Afrikaans which angered the students further as they saw it as the “language of the oppressor”. Both African teachers and students experienced the negative implications of this decree as neither had a grasp of the language. The frustration felt among students (and teachers) can be seen based on this example from an article from ‘The World’ newspaper, 18th May 1976 which basically reported students who “threatened to beat up their headmaster” because of the alleged sacking of the school board’s head for protesting against Afrikaans. Although other factors are considered, it was ultimately the introduction of Afrikaans as well as English by the Bantu Education system that was the im...
For example, business activities always use English. Some multinational enterprises company require employee to have a high level English skill, so that they can communicate with the partner very easily. Good communication can obtain high benefit in business. Many people of multinational company use English as a world language. You will hear business people use English in many cities. They need to understand English and use English to express thoughts and ideas. Also, English is always used in education. When teacher use English to teach, student can learn a lot of words that can be use in different subject. If student do not learn English as well, they should spend much more time on their study, not only in the knowledge, but also in English. Nowadays, more and more people learn English and English become more important to Chinese. Not only must children learn English from kindergarten but also people who do not understand English cannot work at government (IBJ, 2014). Therefore, English is considered as global
There are eleven official languages in South Africa; they are English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Sepedi, Xhosa, Venda, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Zulu, Swazi and Tsonga. South Africa also recognizes eight unofficial languages: Fanagalo, Khoe, Lobedu, Nama, Northern Ndebele, Phuthi, San and South African Sign Language. Even the variation of languages and dialects reflect the diversity of the culture. Heritage, culture, customs or...
The South African educational system has been through many changes dealing with cultural, political, and social issues. There has always been a concern about equal academic opportunities for all the races within South Africa. Where most of the black South African students are given the disadvantage and the White students have the advantages. It wasn’t until 1994 when things took a slight turn for black students in South Africa. That year marked the end of the apartheid. Theoretically non-white students were now offered the same education as Whites. Although in South Africa there are still some areas that the government should offer more beneficial teaching and learning for all of the non-white students. These challenges the South African education systems have been through and are now in the process will further influence an equal opportunity for black South African students. The question this research paper asks is, about how does education vary for black and white students in South Africa, after apartheid ended? There are still economic, political, and racial difficulties for non-white individuals.