Abstract
This article investigates the role that subtitling may play in the promotion of multilingualism in South Africa. After a reflection on the current language-political situation in the country, in particular as it pertains to the public broadcaster, the findings of a pilot study focusing on the role of subtitling in promoting multilingualism and language rights in South Africa are presented. The research involves aspects such as language status, attitudes and acquisition, focusing on two of the more marginalised languages in the country, namely Tshivenda and Xitsonga. It also touches on the impact of subtitling on comprehension.
Highlights
The pilot study focused on two marginalised official languages, Tshivenda and Xitsonga
This clearly demonstrates respondents’ desire to expand the sphere of use and the functions of their language, from mainly a language of interaction at home to a language of public communication. This is supported by a significant indication from respondents that they wish their mother tongue to be used more extensively in education, with 85% of respondents indicating that they think their mother tongue should be used as medium of instruction for part of or the entire primary and secondary education
The pilot study clearly suggests that a need exists among speakers of marginalised languages for their languages to be recognised, developed and expanded, so that these languages can fulfil higher-order functions
Summary
Questions of language are basically questions of power. Noam Chomsky (1979: 191). In South Africa, as Webb (ibid.: 145) points out, English has an exceptionally high status It is regarded as the major economic, educational, and social language, but has become a symbol of the struggle against apartheid, and of liberation. The article first provides an overview of some salient issues surrounding multilingualism, language rights, language planning, broadcasting and subtitling in South Africa This is followed by a discussion of a pilot study conducted in 2005 on the potential role of subtitling in developing marginalised languages and promoting multilingualism. Webb (1996: 146) emphasises this link, pointing out that language is a source of community development, which gives access to education, economic opportunities, political participation, social mobility and cultural activity. The attention turns to the television broadcasting situation in South Africa, focusing on the language policy and practice of the SABC as public broadcaster
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