Die taal of die cheetah? Perspektiewe op die belang van taalsigbaarheid by die nuwe Vrystaatse nommerplaat as openbare teken

The language or the cheetah? Perspectives on the importance of language visibility on the new Free State number plate as public sign This article investigates the importance of language visibility on the new Free State number plate, on the basis of a survey that was conducted during 2002 among a representative group of motor-vehicle owners in the province. This survey tested the opinions of respondents in respect of two aspects. On the one hand, opinions regarding the illustrated design of the new number plate which was introduced in 2002, were tested; and on the other hand, opinions concerning the linguistic features of the number plate were also investigated. In this article, selected responses to two sets of questions relating to the above will be compared, in order to determine the effect of the graphic design of the new number plate on respondents’ opinions regarding language visibility. A positive identification therewith would provide an indication of the degree to which the negative effect of reduced language visibility on the illustrated number plate in the province’s two main languages, by this minimised.