English in South Africa (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,5, University of Hannover (Philosophische Fakultät), course: Hauptseminar: English in Africa, language: English, abstract: English came to South Africa through colonization by the end of the 18th century. Around 200 years later it is widely spoken in Africa's most southern country although it is not the sole official language. It equally shares that status together with Afrikaans and nine African indigenous languages - at least in theory. This paper is supposed to characterize the development and current status of the English language in South Africa. The multicultural state has an eventful and dramatic history. It is important to outline and explain that varied history in this linguistic paper because it had a major effect on language spread and development in South Africa, which has since the arrival of the Europeans never been completely linguistically homogenous. English in South Africa can not be understood without taking a closer look at more than 300 years of eventful history. Chapter two is going to give an overview of that history referring thereby to different recognized historians and their works.
After that there will be a closer look at the status of English in today's South African society. The next chapter has three different focuses. It will take a closer look at the governmental policy of multilingualism and its outcomes in practice. Also the role of the English language in the media and education system of South Africa will be examined. The question needs to be answered, which trends for the future are becoming obvious concerning the role of English in South Africa. Will it be extended in the future or rather suffer from competition through other languages? What is today's image of English in comparison to the other "imported" language, namely Afrikaans?
After having finished the general description of SAE there will be a closer look at its linguistic features. Two major kinds of South African Englishes will thereby be distinguished: White South African English (WSAFE) and Black South African English (BSAFE). Both will be examined in chapters four and five.
The theoretical knowledge gained in chapters four and five will then be applied in a phonological analysis of a Black South African speaker of English, namely a 17 year old girl with Zulu background.