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  • Essay / Multilingualism and decoloniality in the English language in South Africa

    The word multilingualism can be used to refer to the use or maintenance of more than one language in a certain context. In this regard, this may refer to the fact that many languages ​​are spoken in South Africa, but also to the fact that many South Africans know more than one language. Here, the focus will be on the use of various languages ​​by South Africans. In South Africa, we are constantly faced with flaws and failures in our education system when it comes to articulatory production in linguistic and knowledge categories. Multilingualism is the ability of an individual to speak more than two languages. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Since English speakers arrived in South Africa starting in 1795, language has had an influence. Especially after political power shifted from the Dutch to English-speaking settlers during the British occupations of the 19th century. Since 1814, the language has been an official language. English has had two, almost contradictory, sources of support. First, as a language of political power, it was held in high esteem by European settlers (aside from a strong Dutch/Afrikaans movement that existed at the same time). Secondly, later, as the language of the resistance struggle to Afrikaans which was considered the language of apartheid. This was particularly due to apartheid laws mandating the teaching of Afrikaans and the subsequent riots in Soweto. In African countries, as the English language becomes more standardized, it can become a threat to the communal nature of indigenous African languages ​​and education as they disappear. Many theorists as well as the public in countries like South Africa are interested in the concept of decoloniality. This process involves the inclusion of original African languages ​​like Zulu, Sesotho, etc. In a developing country like South Africa, we are considered the Global South. After apartheid, there were no significant differences, particularly in terms of language. We face a struggle to introduce African languages ​​in schools. The University of the Witwatersrand has implemented a new language policy in which you must take an African language as a subject to complete your degree. There may be multiple reviews, but it is important to keep the language diverse. Multilingualism is most common in South Africa and to understand and be able to communicate correctly in these languages, it must be taught and therefore implemented in schools. Since, after African countries moved away from colonialism, there must be a way to change the way we live and speak. The English language is an old colonial language. The idea is not to completely demolish Western ideas and influences but to incorporate African ideals. Language policies in South Africa change and evolve slowly. This involves the concept of language planning, African languages ​​must be implemented strategically in order to become a language of instruction like English and Afrikaans. Some argue that multilingualism or bilingualism has negative effects on language acquisition, development, and cognitive abilities, while others believe that it expands the human brain with the ability to communicate in various languages. An important aspect for a bilingual or multilingual speaker is that they are able to code switch. This means they are able to identify with their languagekindergarten and to link it to the other languages ​​they learn. In urban communities, it is common to have bilingual and multilingual learners. The difficulty of language is to implement them in other subjects like mathematics, without a good understanding of a language it will become difficult to use it in other subjects. African languages ​​must also be used in the work environment, otherwise there is no real point in implementing these African languages ​​if they will never be needed. Multilingualism is based on the region in which you work and live and the language of your parents (mother tongue). There are also many dialects in which the English language is spoken in South Africa, depending on the community you come from and your socio-economic status. South African higher education is currently at a critical juncture in implementing the promotion of the institutional status of nine African languages, English and Afrikaans in South Africa's multilingual language policy. The post-apartheid South African Constitution of 1996 considers language a fundamental human right and multilingualism a national resource that elevates languages ​​to official national status, including: English, Arikaans as well as the nine African languages: isiNdebele, Sesotho, siSwati, XiTsonga, Setswana. , TshiVenda, Sepedi, isiXhosa and isiZulu. Teachers in multilingual classrooms are required to teach English, but it is up to them how they change the way they speak to multilingual students. It will be difficult for a child to learn an African language in a subject as difficult as mathematics, because he must first understand the subject and then understand the language in which the subject is spoken. Many theorists believe that it is more difficult for a child to learn an African language in a subject as difficult as mathematics. an older child or adult to learn a new language. Today, English is considered a very important international language and its dominance over science, media and the Internet is unquestionable. In South Africa, language is associated with power and financial prosperity. English is also the language most often used in the media and even by politicians or government officials, although attempts have been made to promote multilingualism. In almost every country in the world, English is the standard language in school, university and the workplace. It was introduced by Europeans and imposed on other religions or cultures. English in South Africa is the standard language of instruction in schools and universities. South Africa is a multilingual country; it is therefore important to communicate information in multiple languages. According to Child's, this does not mean that the individual has insufficient language skills and must use two languages. South African education lacks resources and learning materials for multilingual learners, leading to working in an English-speaking school environment. Teachers face a major problem in teaching multilingual students, which leads to code-switching. The Internet has become an excellent source for language translation and is currently used frequently around the world. We still face multiple inaccuracies as many African languages ​​are missing from electronic media. African language options are limited in many electronic aspects. The importance of languages, dialects, environment and language evolution in educational policies can be, 43(3), 243-269.