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Item Open Access ’n Ontleding van die reaksies in die media op die taalbesluite van die SAUK, 1994-1996(University of the Free State, 2003) Truter, ElbieEnglish: This article aims to interpret the responses of mother-tongue speakers of Afrikaans to the language policy changes instituted by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) from the first democratic election in 1994 to 1996, when the Final Constitution came into effect. To this end, and in order to establish an analytical framework for the future, the interpretation of media correspondence is made in terms of Schermerhorn’s minority theory (1970). In line with Schermerhorn’s theory, the conclusion is that the dominant group wished to converge but the minority group was averse to this, and a tendency towards resistance and conflict arose.Item Open Access Taalbeleid aan universiteite in Suid-Afrika(University of the Free State, 2003) Du Plessis, TheoEnglish: This contribution outlines the current dilemma of Afrikaans-medium universities in South Africa in terms of language policy. Since no language policy norms have been published by the Minister of Education since 1994, proactive steps in this regard might become counterproductive. The language policy options available to universities are considered within the three language policy paradigms of Weinstein (1990). It is argued that a reformist approach to university language policy should not be in conflict with the government’s transformation approach. A diversified language policy could address this. The author argues that such a language policy should not ignore the language clause of the Constitution and that there is no need for universities to dance to the Minister’s tune as far as language policy is concerned.Item Open Access Mapping the road to multilingualism in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2003) Strydom, HennieEnglish: The entrenchment of multilingualism in the South African Constitution articulated the need for a national policy and a legal framework on the basis of which government bodies could take the measures necessary for the implementation of the constitutional directives on multilingualism. This article analyses the process of writing a policy and this framework since 1995. Three phases are covered: the work of the Language Plan Task Group; the Language Plan of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, and the contributions of the Advisory Panel on Language Policy.Item Open Access Taal en die magsdinamika van die Afrikaner: ’n antropologiese perspektief(University of the Free State, 2003) Erasmus, PietEnglish: This article deals with the relation between language and power in the (re)production of Afrikaner culture. Against a historical background the author first considers current Afrikaners’ uncertainty about a suitable way to understand “themselves”. Secondly, the use of Afrikaans to establish and maintain the Afrikaner’s position of power is reviewed. Thirdly, it is argued that it is anthropologically important to realise that people themselves give active content to their destiny; they are not passive victims of inevitable, arbitrary processes of assimilation, identification or the abuse of power.Item Open Access ’n Funksionalistiese benadering tot mediese vertaling in Suid-Afrika(University of the Free State, 2003) Labuschagne, Christelle; Naude, JackieEnglish: The original emphasis of this study was on the translation of medical texts for professional and academic purposes. This was extended to include informative medical texts for lay people when the government introduced a free primary health care system. Source-oriented translation no longer meets this new requirement and the functionalist model of Christiane Nord is proposed to meet the challenge of translating various medical texts in South Africa. A leaflet on AIDS for lay people; a textbook for students and specialists, and a package insert for medication are used as illustrations. Each requires not only a specific translation method on the macrostructural level but also the use of distinctive translation strategies on the microstructural level in order to fulfil its intended function in the target culture.Item Open Access Community-based interpreting in South African health services(University of the Free State, 2003) Erasmus, MabelEnglish: This study deals with the dire need for professional (community-based) interpreters (CBIs) in the South African health services. Attention is focused on the costing of such services, since economics seems to be one of the most important factors affecting (language) policy decisions. It is expected that the proposed National Languages Act for South Africa will encourage the allocation of funding for language services by institutions at all levels of government, including the health sector. The latest developments in the training and utilisation of CBIs in South Africa are discussed in the context of this promising new legislation.Item Open Access The giving of personal names in spoken languages and signed languages — a comparison(University of the Free State, 2003) Akach, Philemon; Lubbe, JohanEnglish: This study utilises data from two Deaf communities to investigate the principles operant in the giving of personal names and to demonstrate similarities and differences as compared with those operant in spoken-language communities. Descriptive principles which operate are the physical features of the person to be named, his or her behaviour and mannerisms, associations evoked by him or her, translation of the meaning of the written name, and naming after someone else. In addition to the descriptive principles, the incorporation of the handshape of alphabetical signs is a second important principle in the giving of personal names.Item Open Access Puo le demokrasi(University of the Free State, 2003) Moleleki, MohlomiEnglish: The concept of democracy places the power to choose in the hands of the majority of a country’s voters over the age of eighteen and of sound mental health. Inherent in ideal democratic choices is a proper grasp of the issues on which decisions have to be taken, followed by the exercising of choices. A democratic choice is well-nigh impossible if the voter is confronted with issues couched in a language which he is unable to decode. In South Africa, ideal democracy, inclusive of the majority of citizens, will only begin to emerge when (and if) African languages are used across the entire political landscape.