AFL1501 – Language Though an African Lens
2019 – Semester 1 – Assignment 1
Your Task 1 discussion should be a minimum of 600 words (the more accurate detail and
in-depth your discussion, the better).
Learning a mother tongue language is very important for the development of a child. The
usage of a language reveals one’s identity and legacy. When we speak about the legacy, we
are speaking about a treasure that has been passed on from one generation to another, it
would be in terms of material, biological, cultural values, etc. (Hunter & Rowles, 2005). In
this instance, we are referring to the treasure of language and culture. As per Cambridge
Dictionary (202), it elaborates that every generation inherits a legacy, it is the responsibility
of the individuals in each culture to understand, live up to and add to the values of that
legacy.
South Africa is a vibrant country which recognises 11 official languages. Due to this, South-
Africans are more often than not, multilingual. This also means that individuals can take on
different roles in different situation, and therefore they are creating and recreating their
linguistic identities according to their specific and current environments. This is done when
we view language as a process in terms of the identity of the self, the speech situation, and
the process underlying the language of survival and coordination.
For this assignment, we want you to discuss your linguistic identity in terms of your
linguistic environment with reference to: “Whenever we use language, we reflect who we
are.” (For example, you linguistic background will be that which you are raised in, a
linguistic environment where you used a specific language, it can be IsiZulu at home and
English at school. However, now you find yourself in a different linguistic environment
where you need to use Sesotho and/or Afrikaans, which may change your linguistic
environment and identity because you now use IsiZulu at home, English at work and
Sesotho/Afrikaans with friends and colleagues socially.) It is believed that exposure and use
of different language/s and culture, your own language and cultural identity is influenced
and eroded.
Discuss your 'linguistic identity' with reference to a specific speech situation in a linguistic
environment you choose, e.g. when you are with friends or at a taxi rank or with colleagues
at work or even when you are at home with your family. Reflect on the distinctions you
drawn when you speak to different people in the speech situation with reference to the
view: "Whenever we use language, we reflect who we are" - see par. 1.6
References:
o Hunters, E. G., & Rowles, G. D. (2005). Leaving a legacy: Toward a typology. Journal
of aging studies, 19, 327-347.
Page 1 of 3
2019 – Semester 1 – Assignment 1
Your Task 1 discussion should be a minimum of 600 words (the more accurate detail and
in-depth your discussion, the better).
Learning a mother tongue language is very important for the development of a child. The
usage of a language reveals one’s identity and legacy. When we speak about the legacy, we
are speaking about a treasure that has been passed on from one generation to another, it
would be in terms of material, biological, cultural values, etc. (Hunter & Rowles, 2005). In
this instance, we are referring to the treasure of language and culture. As per Cambridge
Dictionary (202), it elaborates that every generation inherits a legacy, it is the responsibility
of the individuals in each culture to understand, live up to and add to the values of that
legacy.
South Africa is a vibrant country which recognises 11 official languages. Due to this, South-
Africans are more often than not, multilingual. This also means that individuals can take on
different roles in different situation, and therefore they are creating and recreating their
linguistic identities according to their specific and current environments. This is done when
we view language as a process in terms of the identity of the self, the speech situation, and
the process underlying the language of survival and coordination.
For this assignment, we want you to discuss your linguistic identity in terms of your
linguistic environment with reference to: “Whenever we use language, we reflect who we
are.” (For example, you linguistic background will be that which you are raised in, a
linguistic environment where you used a specific language, it can be IsiZulu at home and
English at school. However, now you find yourself in a different linguistic environment
where you need to use Sesotho and/or Afrikaans, which may change your linguistic
environment and identity because you now use IsiZulu at home, English at work and
Sesotho/Afrikaans with friends and colleagues socially.) It is believed that exposure and use
of different language/s and culture, your own language and cultural identity is influenced
and eroded.
Discuss your 'linguistic identity' with reference to a specific speech situation in a linguistic
environment you choose, e.g. when you are with friends or at a taxi rank or with colleagues
at work or even when you are at home with your family. Reflect on the distinctions you
drawn when you speak to different people in the speech situation with reference to the
view: "Whenever we use language, we reflect who we are" - see par. 1.6
References:
o Hunters, E. G., & Rowles, G. D. (2005). Leaving a legacy: Toward a typology. Journal
of aging studies, 19, 327-347.
Page 1 of 3
