6 December 2002

The government has finalised the National Language Policy Framework, which paves the way for the country's 11 official languages to be fully recognised at all levels of government, and plans to spend over R327-million over the next three years to promote multilingualism in its departments.

Speaking in Johannesburg this week, Arts and Culture Minister Ben Ngubane said the document makes the marginalisation of some of South Africa's diverse languages a thing of the past. South Africa is a multilingual country, with approximately 25 to 30 spoken languages, 11 of which have been granted official status in terms of the Constitution.

The policy, to be implemented in three phases over three years, aims to promote language equity, access to government services, and language management for efficient public service.

The new policy will be followed in the production of publications by national departments. Ngubane said in those cases that did not require publications in all 11 official languages, national government departments would publish their documents simultaneously in at least six languages.

In this instance, selection would be on the basis of at least one language from the Nguni group (isiNdebele, isiZulu or isiSwati), one from the seSotho group (seSotho sa Leboa, Sesotho or Setswana), Tshivenda, Xitsonga, English and Afrikaans.

However, in cases where effective and stable operation required "comprehensive" information communication, publications would be published in all the prescribed official languages.

Ngubane said that government structures would have time to plan their budgets and operations, with a gradual increase in the allocation of funding for language-related activities.

To complement the policy, government would also encourage and where necessary support private enterprises to develop and implement own policies.

Noting the demand for translation work, especially in the African languages, Ngubane said translation expertise in these languages would have to be expanded, with the employment of skilled freelance language practitioners, such as translators, editors and interpreters.

This, he said, would go a long way towards job creation for people with linguistic skills. "It is hoped this will also curb the diminishing numbers of African languages students at tertiary institutions."

Another necessary step would be the establishment of language units in all national government departments and provinces, he added.

In collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board (Pansalb), the Department of Arts and Culture will monitor progress, including reviewing policy and making recommendations where necessary.

The minister added that public servants must remember the principle of Batho Pele (People First), and broaden access to government through the empowering tool of language.

Last month, Cabinet approved the policy for the promotion of other South African languages for use in higher education institutions, and the government and Pansalb are consulting on ways to revive indigenous language departments at universities.

Source: BuaNews

	Speak your mind! (Photo: GCIS)

	Pan South African Language Board One country, many tongues The Constitution of South Africa Our land and our people

	PanSALB

Human Rights Advice Line - 0860 120 120
(Office hours, Mon-Fri)
Or E-mail the SA Human Rights Commission

Unhappy with poor public service, or misconduct by a government official? Use myRights to find out about your basic rights, your right to good public service, the duties of public officials, what to do about poor public service, and how to lodge complaints.

HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE Final TRC reparations payouts Court victory for single dads Employing the disabled: guidelines TRC records will go public: govt ATMs for maintenance payments Farm conditions under scrutiny Grants for apartheid victims 'No blanket apartheid amnesty' Mbeki says no to 'wealth tax' Promoting access to information Govt launches language plan Food security hearings completed Bringing debt collectors in line Victim centre opens in Ivory Park Gauteng centre for abuse victims Pushing for women in science Blind lawyer leads library Gender equity: struggle not over Funds for war against abuse Govt pushes for multilingualism