AFL1501
Assignment 5 PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 28 October 2026
Question 1: Language, identity and family
1.1 Module experience reflection
Before I started AFL1501, I mainly understood language as something people use
when they want to explain a problem, greet somebody or share information. IsiZulu
has always been important in my home because it helps us speak to our elders, tell
family stories and show affection. I did not spend much time thinking about why I
spoke differently to my grandmother and to a friend of my own age. I now
understand that language changes according to the people involved and the
situation in which we are speaking. For instance, a young person at a taxi rank in
Durban might use everyday township expressions with friends but speak in a more
careful and respectful way when asking an older passenger for directions. The
message might be similar, yet the words and tone show different relationships
, Question 1: Language, identity and family
1.1 Module experience reflection
Before I started AFL1501, I mainly understood language as something people use
when they want to explain a problem, greet somebody or share information. IsiZulu
has always been important in my home because it helps us speak to our elders, tell
family stories and show affection. I did not spend much time thinking about why I
spoke differently to my grandmother and to a friend of my own age. I now
understand that language changes according to the people involved and the
situation in which we are speaking. For instance, a young person at a taxi rank in
Durban might use everyday township expressions with friends but speak in a more
careful and respectful way when asking an older passenger for directions. The
message might be similar, yet the words and tone show different relationships
(AFL1501 Study guide, 2018, Unit 1).
I have learned that language also carries a person’s background and identity. A
family name may remind relatives about an important event, a particular hope or the
values that older generations wanted to protect. In isiZulu-speaking households,
names such as Nokuthula and Sibusiso are meaningful because their words point to
peace and blessing. The work on family relationships made me realise that the way
a person is addressed can communicate love, respect and belonging. Calling an
elder Gogo does more than describe a family position because it also recognises
that person’s age, experience and place in the family. I can now see why two
families might follow slightly different customs while still showing the same kind of
respect (AFL1501 Study guide, 2018, Unit 3).
The connection between culture and communication stood out when I thought about
ordinary South African situations. At a family gathering, one person may understand
quiet listening as respect while another may expect younger relatives to ask
questions and take part in the conversation. A disagreement can happen even when
nobody intends to offend anybody. I have learned to consider the other person’s
background before deciding that a certain way of speaking is rude. This matters in a
country where a person might hear isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho and English in one
working day. Understanding the cultural setting makes it easier to clear up
Assignment 5 PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 28 October 2026
Question 1: Language, identity and family
1.1 Module experience reflection
Before I started AFL1501, I mainly understood language as something people use
when they want to explain a problem, greet somebody or share information. IsiZulu
has always been important in my home because it helps us speak to our elders, tell
family stories and show affection. I did not spend much time thinking about why I
spoke differently to my grandmother and to a friend of my own age. I now
understand that language changes according to the people involved and the
situation in which we are speaking. For instance, a young person at a taxi rank in
Durban might use everyday township expressions with friends but speak in a more
careful and respectful way when asking an older passenger for directions. The
message might be similar, yet the words and tone show different relationships
, Question 1: Language, identity and family
1.1 Module experience reflection
Before I started AFL1501, I mainly understood language as something people use
when they want to explain a problem, greet somebody or share information. IsiZulu
has always been important in my home because it helps us speak to our elders, tell
family stories and show affection. I did not spend much time thinking about why I
spoke differently to my grandmother and to a friend of my own age. I now
understand that language changes according to the people involved and the
situation in which we are speaking. For instance, a young person at a taxi rank in
Durban might use everyday township expressions with friends but speak in a more
careful and respectful way when asking an older passenger for directions. The
message might be similar, yet the words and tone show different relationships
(AFL1501 Study guide, 2018, Unit 1).
I have learned that language also carries a person’s background and identity. A
family name may remind relatives about an important event, a particular hope or the
values that older generations wanted to protect. In isiZulu-speaking households,
names such as Nokuthula and Sibusiso are meaningful because their words point to
peace and blessing. The work on family relationships made me realise that the way
a person is addressed can communicate love, respect and belonging. Calling an
elder Gogo does more than describe a family position because it also recognises
that person’s age, experience and place in the family. I can now see why two
families might follow slightly different customs while still showing the same kind of
respect (AFL1501 Study guide, 2018, Unit 3).
The connection between culture and communication stood out when I thought about
ordinary South African situations. At a family gathering, one person may understand
quiet listening as respect while another may expect younger relatives to ask
questions and take part in the conversation. A disagreement can happen even when
nobody intends to offend anybody. I have learned to consider the other person’s
background before deciding that a certain way of speaking is rude. This matters in a
country where a person might hear isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho and English in one
working day. Understanding the cultural setting makes it easier to clear up
