ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 655302
DUE DATE: 31 MARCH 2025
, AFL1501
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 655302
Due Date: 31 March 2025
Language Through an African Lens
Task 1: Language Barriers and Cultural Diversity (6 Marks)
Experience 1: Struggling with a New Language
Language plays a crucial role in communication, yet it can become a barrier when
people do not share a common language. A personal experience that reinforced this
lesson occurred when I visited a rural area in South Africa where the predominant
language spoken was isiZulu, while my home language is Sesotho. While I had a basic
understanding of isiZulu, I struggled to fully express myself, which made simple tasks
such as asking for directions or purchasing goods at a local shop quite difficult.
One particular incident stood out: I attempted to ask for directions to a nearby
guesthouse but mistakenly used a word that changed the meaning of my question. The
local resident misunderstood me and pointed in the wrong direction. I later realized my
error and had to use gestures and limited isiZulu words to clarify my request. Despite
the initial difficulty, the encounter was a learning experience. The patience and kindness
of the local people helped me understand that effective communication is not just about
words—it also involves non-verbal cues and mutual willingness to understand each
other.
This experience deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity. I realized that language
differences should not be seen as obstacles but as opportunities to learn from one
another. As highlighted by Holmes (2013), language is not just a means of