LIN1502
STUDY GUIDE
,STUDY GUIDE
MULTILINGUALISM: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGES IN SOUTH
AFRICA - LIN1502
Study Unit 1: Language Learning and Acquisition
“Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates
the reality it describes.”
— Desmond Tutu (Archbishop Emeritus, anti-apartheid and human rights activist,
1931–2021)
1.1 Learning outcomes
After completing this study unit, you should be able to:
understand that South Africa consists of people from many linguistic and cultural
backgrounds;
develop an informed view of why every language should be recognised, valued
and respected;
explain the difference between language learning and language acquisition; and
describe the important linguistic concepts listed under the key terms in your own
words.
1.2 Key linguistic terms
The following concepts are important for understanding this study unit:
language acquisition
instructed L2 learning
language learning
foreign language
first language (L1)
,Did you know?
According to the 2022 Census, isiZulu has the largest number of speakers among
South Africa's languages. Approximately 24.4% of the country's population speaks
isiZulu.
Task 1.1 What is your opinion?
Why do you think it is important to recognise that South Africa is multilingual and to be
conscious of the different languages used by people around us?
Feedback
Being aware of linguistic diversity is important because language forms an important
part of an individual's identity and cultural background. Respecting other people's
languages can therefore contribute to greater appreciation of their cultures, traditions
and ways of life.
When society recognises the value of different languages instead of treating one
language as more important than others, it becomes easier to promote equal respect for
linguistic diversity. This also acknowledges the cultural communities associated with
those languages and can reduce feelings of exclusion or marginalisation among
speakers of minority languages.
Knowledge of other languages can also improve communication. Understanding how
different communities express respect, politeness and social relationships can help
people interact more appropriately. This is particularly useful in workplaces, schools and
social environments, where linguistic and cultural misunderstandings may otherwise
occur.
Language and culture are closely connected. Mazari and Derraz (2015:251, 354) argue
that learning about a language also involves learning about the culture of the people
who use it. Language learners therefore develop the ability to communicate more
effectively with members of that cultural community.
, South Africa's linguistic diversity can also expose people to different perspectives, ideas
and ways of understanding the world. Learning about other languages can
consequently broaden people's perspectives and encourage greater openness towards
cultural diversity.
1.5 Investigating language learning and language acquisition
In linguistics, language acquisition generally refers to the development of a person's
first language. It can also describe the way a child learns an additional language
naturally and without conscious formal instruction, particularly before adolescence.
The concept of language learning, on the other hand, is generally associated with a
more deliberate and conscious process. It commonly occurs when adolescents or adults
study a second or additional language through formal instruction.
The abbreviation L1 is used to refer to a person's first language or mother tongue, while
L2 refers to a second language or any additional language learned after the first.
1.6 Learning a second language
People can learn a second language at different stages of life. The way a person
acquires an additional language can depend on circumstances such as education,
employment, migration, family relationships and social interaction.
Naturalistic L2 learning occurs when someone develops competence in another
language through ordinary interaction rather than through formal lessons. For instance,
a child who moves to another country may naturally acquire the language spoken by the
surrounding community. Similarly, an adult may learn another language simply by
communicating with people who speak it, without relying on textbooks, dictionaries or
formal language courses.
At the beginning of naturalistic learning, learners may make many grammatical errors or
use very simple forms of communication. However, their need to communicate with
STUDY GUIDE
,STUDY GUIDE
MULTILINGUALISM: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGES IN SOUTH
AFRICA - LIN1502
Study Unit 1: Language Learning and Acquisition
“Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates
the reality it describes.”
— Desmond Tutu (Archbishop Emeritus, anti-apartheid and human rights activist,
1931–2021)
1.1 Learning outcomes
After completing this study unit, you should be able to:
understand that South Africa consists of people from many linguistic and cultural
backgrounds;
develop an informed view of why every language should be recognised, valued
and respected;
explain the difference between language learning and language acquisition; and
describe the important linguistic concepts listed under the key terms in your own
words.
1.2 Key linguistic terms
The following concepts are important for understanding this study unit:
language acquisition
instructed L2 learning
language learning
foreign language
first language (L1)
,Did you know?
According to the 2022 Census, isiZulu has the largest number of speakers among
South Africa's languages. Approximately 24.4% of the country's population speaks
isiZulu.
Task 1.1 What is your opinion?
Why do you think it is important to recognise that South Africa is multilingual and to be
conscious of the different languages used by people around us?
Feedback
Being aware of linguistic diversity is important because language forms an important
part of an individual's identity and cultural background. Respecting other people's
languages can therefore contribute to greater appreciation of their cultures, traditions
and ways of life.
When society recognises the value of different languages instead of treating one
language as more important than others, it becomes easier to promote equal respect for
linguistic diversity. This also acknowledges the cultural communities associated with
those languages and can reduce feelings of exclusion or marginalisation among
speakers of minority languages.
Knowledge of other languages can also improve communication. Understanding how
different communities express respect, politeness and social relationships can help
people interact more appropriately. This is particularly useful in workplaces, schools and
social environments, where linguistic and cultural misunderstandings may otherwise
occur.
Language and culture are closely connected. Mazari and Derraz (2015:251, 354) argue
that learning about a language also involves learning about the culture of the people
who use it. Language learners therefore develop the ability to communicate more
effectively with members of that cultural community.
, South Africa's linguistic diversity can also expose people to different perspectives, ideas
and ways of understanding the world. Learning about other languages can
consequently broaden people's perspectives and encourage greater openness towards
cultural diversity.
1.5 Investigating language learning and language acquisition
In linguistics, language acquisition generally refers to the development of a person's
first language. It can also describe the way a child learns an additional language
naturally and without conscious formal instruction, particularly before adolescence.
The concept of language learning, on the other hand, is generally associated with a
more deliberate and conscious process. It commonly occurs when adolescents or adults
study a second or additional language through formal instruction.
The abbreviation L1 is used to refer to a person's first language or mother tongue, while
L2 refers to a second language or any additional language learned after the first.
1.6 Learning a second language
People can learn a second language at different stages of life. The way a person
acquires an additional language can depend on circumstances such as education,
employment, migration, family relationships and social interaction.
Naturalistic L2 learning occurs when someone develops competence in another
language through ordinary interaction rather than through formal lessons. For instance,
a child who moves to another country may naturally acquire the language spoken by the
surrounding community. Similarly, an adult may learn another language simply by
communicating with people who speak it, without relying on textbooks, dictionaries or
formal language courses.
At the beginning of naturalistic learning, learners may make many grammatical errors or
use very simple forms of communication. However, their need to communicate with
