Psychotherapy in South African indigenous languages: Positioning isiXhosa as a language of symbolisation

Abstract

The sociopolitical history of language use in South Africa is controversial and complex. This article utilises postcolonial theory to problematise the historical pattern of language use in South Africa to oppress black people. African psychology and Afrocentricity are used to centre isiXhosa as the language of symbolisation in psychotherapy for amaXhosa, aiming to effectively address the needs of the people. A narrative literature review approach and qualitative research paradigm frame the discussion, focusing on the historical and contemporary state of language use in psychotherapy. The findings revealed two themes: i) the historical and current patterns of language use in South Africa; and ii) centring indigenous African languages (e.g. isiXhosa) as languages of symbolisation in psychotherapy. These themes underscore the negative impact of historical discriminatory language practices in South Africa, while highlighting the importance of centring the ontological and epistemological assumptions of African indigenous knowledge systems when practising psychotherapy in isiXhosa. This has implications for theory, practice and education, as they should be rooted in African indigenous knowledge systems if they are to appropriately respond to the needs of the African people.