Study Highlights Marginalization of Afrikaans Amid Post-Apartheid Language Policies
A study, The Rise and Possible Demise of Afrikaans as a Public Language, warns that Afrikaans, once a cornerstone of South African identity, risks fading from public life due to government policies favoring English.
Emerging from Dutch in the 17th century, Afrikaans became a symbol of Afrikaner resistance and was standardized in the 20th century.
However, South Africa’s 1994 transition to democracy, which recognized eleven official languages, diminished its dominance.
English, promoted as a vehicle for racial transformation, has sidelined all of the official native languages, including Afrikaans, in education, civil service, and public institutions.
The study notes that without robust government support, Afrikaans’ future hinges on the loyalty of its speakers.
Critics argue that neglecting Afrikaans undermines cultural diversity.
The findings highlights the tension between linguistic heritage and modern political priorities in South Africa’s evolving society.
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