Political economy of languages in South African higher education

Abstract

This study examines the political economy of languages in South African universities, focusing on the sustained dominance of English and Afrikaans despite policy shifts promoting multilingualism. While some institutions have taken steps to incorporate indigenous languages into their teaching frameworks, English remains the primary medium of instruction across the country’s 26 universities, with Afrikaans retaining a privileged position in select institutions. The study argues that the entrenched political and economic structures underpinning language-use perpetuate this dominance, even as South Africa approaches 31 years of democratic governance. By employing critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study investigates how historical, political and economic factors continue to marginalise indigenous languages and limit their role in academic spaces. Furthermore, it assesses the effectiveness of recent policy changes in promoting linguistic equity and evaluates the challenges in transforming language practices in higher education. Ultimately, the study highlights the need for institutional reforms beyond symbolic gestures, advocating for a more substantive and inclusive approach to language policy at South Africa’s universities.