Question 2
, In the essay I will critically discuss the evolution of Standard English that
lead to social inequality to the extent of the linguistic context in South
Africa. The approach of linguists to language variation in general, as well
as the variation typical of English in other countries.
The landing of the British at the Cape marks the beginning of English history
in South Africa. English was first brought to South Africa in the 19th century.
As a consequence of the settlements of 1820 (in the Eastern Cape) and
1848–1862 (in Natal), as well as the migration to the diamond mines of
Kimberley (1870) and the gold mines of the Witwatersrand, it became a
southern African language (1886).
Diverse South African linguistic communities have had different reactions to
English. English was imposed on an unwilling Dutch (later Afrikaans)
community at the Cape from the start. Even in the largely Dutch/Afrikaans-
speaking rural areas, there was an attempt to make English the only
language of the law and of education, provoking considerable hostility that
may still be seen in some Afrikaner communities today. The South African
(or 'Boer') War of 1899–1902 reinforced Afrikaner attitudes toward English,
and English became known as die “vyand se taal”, or 'the enemy's language.'
Many black communities in the Eastern Cape (and later Natal) were taught
to English by missionaries in the early nineteenth century, who also codified
Xhosa and later other African languages. In mission schools, English was
employed as the language of teaching, with "excellent English, classical, and
mathematical education" being provided. By the turn of the century, there
was a sizable group of English-fluent black educators, authors, clergymen,
and political leaders. The competent and graceful writings of John Tengo
Jabavu, Gwayi Tyamzashe, Sol Plaatje, John Knox Bokwe, and others
provide as confirmation.
English became known as the language of the social elite in most nations
where it is used as a ‘lingua franca’. However, while it was seen as a
language of aspiration and empowerment by black South Africans and many
Afrikaners, it was consistently viewed as an oppressor by a significant portion
of the Afrikaans population, and Afrikaans became the openly preferred
language from the time the National Party came to power in 1948.Despite
the fact that English was also an official language, government and
administrative activity was virtually entirely handled in Afrikaans. State
resources were devoted to the development of Afrikaans, while English was
, In the essay I will critically discuss the evolution of Standard English that
lead to social inequality to the extent of the linguistic context in South
Africa. The approach of linguists to language variation in general, as well
as the variation typical of English in other countries.
The landing of the British at the Cape marks the beginning of English history
in South Africa. English was first brought to South Africa in the 19th century.
As a consequence of the settlements of 1820 (in the Eastern Cape) and
1848–1862 (in Natal), as well as the migration to the diamond mines of
Kimberley (1870) and the gold mines of the Witwatersrand, it became a
southern African language (1886).
Diverse South African linguistic communities have had different reactions to
English. English was imposed on an unwilling Dutch (later Afrikaans)
community at the Cape from the start. Even in the largely Dutch/Afrikaans-
speaking rural areas, there was an attempt to make English the only
language of the law and of education, provoking considerable hostility that
may still be seen in some Afrikaner communities today. The South African
(or 'Boer') War of 1899–1902 reinforced Afrikaner attitudes toward English,
and English became known as die “vyand se taal”, or 'the enemy's language.'
Many black communities in the Eastern Cape (and later Natal) were taught
to English by missionaries in the early nineteenth century, who also codified
Xhosa and later other African languages. In mission schools, English was
employed as the language of teaching, with "excellent English, classical, and
mathematical education" being provided. By the turn of the century, there
was a sizable group of English-fluent black educators, authors, clergymen,
and political leaders. The competent and graceful writings of John Tengo
Jabavu, Gwayi Tyamzashe, Sol Plaatje, John Knox Bokwe, and others
provide as confirmation.
English became known as the language of the social elite in most nations
where it is used as a ‘lingua franca’. However, while it was seen as a
language of aspiration and empowerment by black South Africans and many
Afrikaners, it was consistently viewed as an oppressor by a significant portion
of the Afrikaans population, and Afrikaans became the openly preferred
language from the time the National Party came to power in 1948.Despite
the fact that English was also an official language, government and
administrative activity was virtually entirely handled in Afrikaans. State
resources were devoted to the development of Afrikaans, while English was
