The Pan South African Language Board promotes multilingualism in South Africa by fostering the development of all 11 official languages, while encouraging the use of the many other languages spoken in the country.

Lexicography and terminology development
One of PanSALB's main focus areas is that of lexicography and terminology development. Nine National Lexicography Units were registered in March 2001, although many had begun their work much earlier.

The purpose of the units is to compile monolingual explanatory dictionaries and other products to help with language development. Each unit is expected to compile a volume of at least 500 000 words, which is then presented to speakers and experts in the language at an annual meetings.

The Afrikaans, English, isiZulu, and isiXhosa units have already published a number of volumes of their monolingual dictionaries, while the others are expected to produce their first volumes in 2003.

The units are based at tertiary institutions throughout South Africa and managed by boards of directors. Each unit is registered as a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company, which allows the unit autonomy to raise funds to carry on its work.

Linguistic human rights and advocacy
PanSALB is mandated by law to investigate complaints about language rights violations from any individual, organisation or institution.

By March 2001, PanSALB had received a total of 160 complaints against government departments, statutory bodies and other public entities, all relating to officials refusing or being unable to communicate in the languages of the complainants.

PanSALB conducts hearings at which complainants and respondents are present, and depending on its findings may recommend steps to be taken by the department or institution concerned.

Khoi and San National Language Body
This body was established in 1999 to promote and develop the Khoi and San languages. The body has been conducting surveys in communities where the Khoi and San languages are spoken, in order to record and standardise terminology.

The Khoi and San languages were spoken by the earlier inhabitants of the southern part of Africa.

Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
The commission’s main purpose is to promote respect for the rights and interests of South Africa's various cultural, religious and linguistic communities.

The 17-member commission has the power to:

• Monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby, advise and report on any issue concerning the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities.
• Facilitate the resolution of conflicts or friction between any such community and an organ of state.
• Receive and deal with complaints and requests by cultural, religious or linguistic communities.
• Convene a yearly national conference of delegates from the various religious, cultural and linguistic communities and governmental and non-governmental role players.

	'Multilingualism promotes unity' Govt pushes for multilingualism SA words spice up OED One country, many tongues SA English is lekker, bru! The Constitution of South Africa Our land and our people

	PanSALB  Dept of Arts & Culture

THE 11 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES Sesotho sa Leboa Sesotho Setswana SiSwati Tshivenda Xitsonga Afrikaans English isiNdebele isiXhosa isiZulu One country, many tongues We're not called 'The Rainbow Nation' for nothing. South Africa has 11 official languages - and scores of unofficial ones besides - with English the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life. Telephone Interpreting Service A joint inititiative of PanSALB and the Department of Arts and Culture, the Telephone Interpreting Service of South Africa (TISSA) was launched as a pilot project at 40 police stations around the country earlier this year. TISSA seeks to bridge communication barriers by providing a telephone interpreting service to citizens in all 11 official languages. TISSA's pilot project also accommodates deaf people via the Videophone Facility for Sign Language Interpreting, a videophone system incorporating sound and screen transmission. Feedback from the pilot project will determine whether a full service - targeting police stations, hospitals and clinics across the country - will be recommended to the Cabinet in 2003.