People's English: Language Policy in South Africa and Its Impact on English in Education

Possible consequences of South Africa's post-apartheid language policy, which recognizes nine African languages as official along with English & Afrikaans, are discussed focusing on the situation in education. The debate regarding the future of English is outlined, discerning predictions of a less important role due to an increased emphasis on African languages, & forecasts of a more important function due to the status of English as national & international lingua franca; the latter development is deemed more likely, implying that adequate English knowledge will become increasingly important for all students. Following a description of the historical background of black education in South Africa, it is shown that the relative lack of success of the present desegregation policy can be mostly attributed to black students' poor command of standard South African English & Afrikaans English. However, it is argued that attitudinal changes regarding Black South African English (BSAE) may result in better academic achievement among black students, & it is surmised that a higher degree of acceptance of BSAE may yield a standard South African English that contains elements from black as well as white varieties, empowering both black & white students. 1 Figure, 26 References. S. Paul