Outline of the Presentation

1. Outline of the Presentation • Legislative context • National Language Policy Framework • Policy and implementation • Progress/Achievements • Challenges • Recommendations

2. Legislative context • Section 6 of the Constitution provides the principal legal framework for multilingualism, the development of the official languages and the promotion of respect and tolerance for South Africa’s linguistic diversity. It determines the language rights of citizens, which must be honoured through national language policies • Language legislation – the enabling framework

3. National Language Policy Framework • The Constitution clearly advocates the promotion of multilingualism in South Africa • The National Language Policy Framework (2003) caters adequately for the harmonisation of language policy at all three levels of government • It articulates clear policy positions on the status and use of the indigenous official languages in all nine provinces in South Africa • 2

4. Policy and Implementation The language policy and constitutional provisions on multilingualism are in concert with government's goals for economic, socio-political and educational growth. Its aims are to – • promote the equitable use of the 11 official languages; • facilitate equitable access to government services, knowledge and information; • ensure redress for the previously marginalised official indigenous languages; • initiate and sustain a vibrant discourse on multilingualism with all language communities; • encourage the learning of other official indigenous languages to promote national unity, and linguistic and cultural diversity; and • promote good language management for efficient public service administration to meet client expectations and needs.

5. Policy and Implementation (Cont…) The establishment of language units is key to implementation: • Each national government department and each province impacts on the scope of policy implementation • The DAC coordinates and monitors the management of policy implementation (National Language Forum) • Facilitates training for language unit staff in language planning activities (for translators, editors, document designers, interpreters, human language technologists, terminologists and lexicographers) • Establishes operational guidelines on quality issues

6. Policy and Implementation (Cont…) - The scope of activities • Language Planning: Development of provincial policies and legislation / language units • Terminology development in all fields • Interpreting, translation and editing: the language units play a pivotal role in addressing this. Currently, there seems to be inadequate infrastructure for capacity especially in translation, editing, interpreting, • Lexicography and terminography, is required for the successful implementation of the Policy • Training with regard to managing policy implementation is addressed by training programmes developed by DAC in conjunction with accredited providers • Language technology should be used to facilitate collaboration between language stakeholders as well as to develop the indigenous languages. Computer software such as word processing programmes, terminology management systems and translation software should be compatible across the board • Language awareness campaigns are necessary in order to arouse public interest in language matters. • Monitoring and evaluation • Ongoing and effective policy implementation and review to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Policy and to monitor its progress (NLF)

7. PROGRESS/ ACHIEVEMENTS • Language Planning: 4 provinces with developed policies - Western Cape, KZN, Gauteng, and Limpopo. Mpumalanga awaits Cabinet approval • Northern Cape, Free State, North West and Eastern Cape outstanding • Only Western Cape and KZN have language legislation; Gauteng has a draft • Language units / language function have been established in nine (9) provinces • 5 provinces have units dedicated specifically to language: Western Cape, Free State, Limpopo, KZN, North West; rest classified with sport, recreation, arts and culture- a challenge • Key activities on going in terminology development, translation and editing, & literature development; minimally in interpreting and skills development; language awareness campaigns and outreach programmes (literacy programmes, community reading clubs, interpreting services to hospitals, etc.) • Collaborative structures: Provincial Forums & Language Committees (PanSALB structures) to ensure effective implementation reported differentially

8. Challenges • Cabinet decision (2007) to establish dedicated language units-deadline is 2012 for all including local government • Provinces with outstanding policies due to lack of capacity, budget & infrastructure • Enabling Legislation now needs attention judging from the present litigation against all provinces by Adv C J Lourens • Creation of sustainable jobs is delayed • Mainstreaming language support

9. Recommendations Select Committee could assist in discussing strategies to – • fast track the initiative to maximize effort efficiently • Means to mainstream language support --The DAC facilitates, coordinates and guides provinces in policy implementation --Constitutionally, PanSALB is charged with the role to promote and create conditions for the development and use of all official languages, as well as the Khoi, Nama, San and Sign Language.

10. -Thank you -