, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE ONLY
1. Read the text above and write an essay of 600-800 words in which you analyse the context,
genre, register, audience, and linguistic features affect the meaning and purpose of the text.
Essay 1
Breaking Down Barriers: A Linguistic Analysis of “Linguistic Exclusion in AI”
In the article “Linguistic Exclusion in AI: Tech and AI language is a problem in multilingual South
Africa,” Simphiwe Maduma (2025) addresses a critical digital divide: the dominance of English in
artificial intelligence and technological services within a nation that recognises twelve official
languages. The purpose of the text is to expose how language exclusion hinders digital
transformation, economic growth, and social cohesion, while advocating for the urgent incorporation
of indigenous South African languages into AI systems. Through a carefully constructed journalistic
feature, the author blends factual reporting with persuasive argumentation to reach a specific
audience and achieve a clear advocacy-driven purpose.
The target audience of the text is twofold: primary policymakers, telecommunications executives
(such as those at Vodacom), and state-owned entities in education and health; secondary, the general
South African public, particularly younger, tech-savvy individuals aged 15–34 who are mobile
owners but may not be fluent in English. The context is contemporary South Africa (2025),
following the government’s launch of the Roadmap for Digital Transformation by Minister Solly
Malatsi. The author situates the argument within real economic and social realities—citing Stats SA
that only 8% of South Africans speak English at home—thus grounding a technical topic in lived
experience.
The genre of the text is a digital opinion-led news feature or analytical article, published on Wits
Vuvuzela (a university-based publication). It blends investigative journalism with commentary,
using quotes from experts (Dr. Lindiwe Tshuma) and industry professionals (Amogelang Tsetse) to
lend credibility. The inclusion of a dateline (“Aug 18, 2025”) and source attribution signals
journalistic conventions, while the subheadings and bolded key points (e.g., “There’s a risk of
‘language death and marginalisation’”) reflect digital-era formatting designed for skimmability and
impact.
The register is formal yet accessible—a deliberate choice to bridge academic linguistics and public
discourse. The author avoids overly technical jargon (e.g., “natural language processing” is implied
rather than named), instead using concrete examples: “online banking and mobile phone bot operated
customer services on platforms like WhatsApp.” This maintains clarity for non-specialist readers
while preserving authority through statistical evidence (“92% of South Africa’s population”) and
expert testimony. The tone is urgent but not alarmist, using words like “hindering,” “excludes,” and
“creates a language barrier” to signal systemic failure without descending into hyperbole.
1. Read the text above and write an essay of 600-800 words in which you analyse the context,
genre, register, audience, and linguistic features affect the meaning and purpose of the text.
Essay 1
Breaking Down Barriers: A Linguistic Analysis of “Linguistic Exclusion in AI”
In the article “Linguistic Exclusion in AI: Tech and AI language is a problem in multilingual South
Africa,” Simphiwe Maduma (2025) addresses a critical digital divide: the dominance of English in
artificial intelligence and technological services within a nation that recognises twelve official
languages. The purpose of the text is to expose how language exclusion hinders digital
transformation, economic growth, and social cohesion, while advocating for the urgent incorporation
of indigenous South African languages into AI systems. Through a carefully constructed journalistic
feature, the author blends factual reporting with persuasive argumentation to reach a specific
audience and achieve a clear advocacy-driven purpose.
The target audience of the text is twofold: primary policymakers, telecommunications executives
(such as those at Vodacom), and state-owned entities in education and health; secondary, the general
South African public, particularly younger, tech-savvy individuals aged 15–34 who are mobile
owners but may not be fluent in English. The context is contemporary South Africa (2025),
following the government’s launch of the Roadmap for Digital Transformation by Minister Solly
Malatsi. The author situates the argument within real economic and social realities—citing Stats SA
that only 8% of South Africans speak English at home—thus grounding a technical topic in lived
experience.
The genre of the text is a digital opinion-led news feature or analytical article, published on Wits
Vuvuzela (a university-based publication). It blends investigative journalism with commentary,
using quotes from experts (Dr. Lindiwe Tshuma) and industry professionals (Amogelang Tsetse) to
lend credibility. The inclusion of a dateline (“Aug 18, 2025”) and source attribution signals
journalistic conventions, while the subheadings and bolded key points (e.g., “There’s a risk of
‘language death and marginalisation’”) reflect digital-era formatting designed for skimmability and
impact.
The register is formal yet accessible—a deliberate choice to bridge academic linguistics and public
discourse. The author avoids overly technical jargon (e.g., “natural language processing” is implied
rather than named), instead using concrete examples: “online banking and mobile phone bot operated
customer services on platforms like WhatsApp.” This maintains clarity for non-specialist readers
while preserving authority through statistical evidence (“92% of South Africa’s population”) and
expert testimony. The tone is urgent but not alarmist, using words like “hindering,” “excludes,” and
“creates a language barrier” to signal systemic failure without descending into hyperbole.
