Language, transformation and development: a sociolinguistic appraisal of post-apartheid South African language policy and practice

Abstract

This paper provides a sociolinguistic (rather than an applied linguistic or political) appraisal of policy-related language developments in South Africa, with a main focus on recent trends in applied linguistic writing on the subject. The paper first briefly summarises the trends leading to the constitutional ideals and their modifications. Thereafter it highlights the dilemmas surrounding implementation, and criticisms of implementation by applied linguists. The paper argues that greater bottom-up sociolinguistic awareness and less faith in bureaucratic top-down policies are needed to understand developments (and, more often, lack of developments) around language.