, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 1
1. Module Experience Reflection
Before starting AFL1501, I understood language mainly as a way of communicating with other
people. I knew that South Africa had many languages and cultures, but I had not thought deeply
about how language, identity, culture and community influence one another. I also viewed identity
mainly as something personal, such as a person's name, personality, background and individual
experiences. Through AFL1501, my understanding has become broader because I now recognise
that a person's identity is also shaped by family, language, culture, relationships and the
communities in which they live.
One of the most important things I learned is that language is much more than a collection of words
used to communicate information. Language carries cultural knowledge, values, history and ways of
understanding the world. The language people use can also influence how they identify themselves
and how they relate to others. De Kock, Sayed and Badroodien (2018) explain that language is
closely connected to the development and negotiation of identity in social and educational
environments. This helped me realise that respecting another person's language is also a way of
respecting their identity.
My understanding of culture also developed during the module. Before AFL1501, I mainly
associated culture with traditional clothing, food, ceremonies, music and celebrations. I now
understand that culture is much broader. UNESCO (2002) explains that culture includes lifestyles,
values, traditions, beliefs and other features through which individuals and communities express
themselves.
The discussion about names was particularly meaningful to me. I realised that a person's name can
contain family history, cultural beliefs, expectations and memories. A name can therefore provide
information about where a person comes from and what their family values.
The module also taught me that culture is not completely fixed. People can maintain important
traditions while also adapting to changes in society. My understanding of other people's
backgrounds has therefore become more respectful and open-minded.
AFL1501 has changed the way I understand myself. I now see myself not only as an individual but
also as someone connected to family, language, culture and wider communities.
2. Family Interview
2.1 Interview with My Grandmother: Nomsa Dlamini
The first senior family member I interviewed was my grandmother, Nomsa Dlamini. The name
Nomsa is commonly associated with the idea of compassion, kindness and mercy. The name
QUESTION 1
1. Module Experience Reflection
Before starting AFL1501, I understood language mainly as a way of communicating with other
people. I knew that South Africa had many languages and cultures, but I had not thought deeply
about how language, identity, culture and community influence one another. I also viewed identity
mainly as something personal, such as a person's name, personality, background and individual
experiences. Through AFL1501, my understanding has become broader because I now recognise
that a person's identity is also shaped by family, language, culture, relationships and the
communities in which they live.
One of the most important things I learned is that language is much more than a collection of words
used to communicate information. Language carries cultural knowledge, values, history and ways of
understanding the world. The language people use can also influence how they identify themselves
and how they relate to others. De Kock, Sayed and Badroodien (2018) explain that language is
closely connected to the development and negotiation of identity in social and educational
environments. This helped me realise that respecting another person's language is also a way of
respecting their identity.
My understanding of culture also developed during the module. Before AFL1501, I mainly
associated culture with traditional clothing, food, ceremonies, music and celebrations. I now
understand that culture is much broader. UNESCO (2002) explains that culture includes lifestyles,
values, traditions, beliefs and other features through which individuals and communities express
themselves.
The discussion about names was particularly meaningful to me. I realised that a person's name can
contain family history, cultural beliefs, expectations and memories. A name can therefore provide
information about where a person comes from and what their family values.
The module also taught me that culture is not completely fixed. People can maintain important
traditions while also adapting to changes in society. My understanding of other people's
backgrounds has therefore become more respectful and open-minded.
AFL1501 has changed the way I understand myself. I now see myself not only as an individual but
also as someone connected to family, language, culture and wider communities.
2. Family Interview
2.1 Interview with My Grandmother: Nomsa Dlamini
The first senior family member I interviewed was my grandmother, Nomsa Dlamini. The name
Nomsa is commonly associated with the idea of compassion, kindness and mercy. The name
