In this thesis the languages in different types of scientific communication were estimated. The aim of this study was to determine the status of German language in the scientific communication. Firstly, the languages were found out in which the authors could publish and actually publish their manuscripts in the journals in the Czech Republic and in the German-speaking countries. Secondly, the languages were evaluated in which the authors present their conference papers. As another type of the scientific communication, those languages were estimated in which it is possible to study different disciplines, as well as foreign languages that are taught at universities. The results show that English has become the most important international language of the scientific communication and that German has lost its position in the international scientific communication. And to some extent German is also losing its position in the national scientific communication.

Doctor Educationis / This research has sought to investigate the language policy of Namibian schools against the background of international literature on the advantages of mother tongue as medium of instruction during the initial years of school. The historical background of the formulation and implementation of the current policy is dealt with in Chapter 2. The theoretical aspects of language planning as explained in the literature will focus on aspects like the underlying principles for language planning. This chapter will furthermore discuss information regarding the status and the use of the mother tongue as medium of instruction in Namibia during the first three years of school. In Chapter 4 a literature review of Cummins's linguistic interdependence principle, as well as the different options or models for a bilingual language approach in education, is discussed in detail and compared to the Namibian situation to find the best possible model which could be adapted for Namibia. Chapter 5 investigates the results of a survey that has been conducted in Namibia to determine the level of English language proficiency of teachers. These findings are compared to find a relation between repetition rates of learners, Grade 10 examination results per region, as well as the teacher qualifications per region. Chapter 6 proposes a gradual bilingual language model for Namibia. First the rationale will be dealt with, followed by a detailed description of the model and how it is to be implemented. Chapters 7 and 8 deal with the research methodology that was undertaken in the form of a questionnaire and interviews with educationists regarding the use of the real medium of instruction, the perceptions of educationists on the language policy, and their proposals to change the language policy. Their perceptions of the proposed language model are discussed in order to identify ideas on how to streamline it. In Chapter 9 questions concerning the implications of implementing a bilingual language policy with regard to what is possible, practicable, and affordable will be dealt with. The last chapter, Chapter 10, will compare the current language policy, a policy proposed by NIED, and the model proposed here, before a number of recommendations are made.

The study sought to explore possibilities of harmonising Shona-Nyai cross-border varieties in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Emerging from the responses were problems of attitudes, ignorance of what the harmonisation project entails and the different levels of development among the varieties to be harmonised. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved and they proposed some intervention strategies. Results from the questionnaire, the interview and documents analysed affirmed the generally held view that, the future of Shona-Nyai as a language and culture is securely in the hands of the speakers’ initiatives. The argument of the study has been that, the success of such a harmonisation project depends on the presence of favourable and conducive political and economic conditions through enabling language engineering activities. Information collected from the questionnaires was mainly presented in tables and information from interviews and document analysis was presented qualitatively in words. The language as a right and the language as resource orientations of language planning guided this study. The intention was to show that the preservation of linguistic diversity is important in the maintenance of group and individual identity and harmonisation should further this cause. Findings from this thesis indicate that for a successful harmonisation project to take place there is need for research in the documentation of underdeveloped Shona-Nyai varieties so that they have some presence in the education domain. The study recommends that people’s mindsets must be changed by packaging the harmonisation project in a way which they understand and appreciate. A holistic approach in solving the language problem can be achieved through a mixed approach of language policy formulation. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)

This study examines the historical and contemporary sociolinguistic status of three minority languages, namely Shangani, Kalanga and Tonga in Chiredzi, Plumtree and Binga respectively within the civil courts of Zimbabwe. This research problematizes the issue of language choice and usage in civil courtroom discourse by native speakers of the languages under study. The background to this research endeavor is the historical dominance of English, Shona and Ndebele in public institutions as media of communication even in areas where minority languages are dominant, a situation that has resulted in minority languages having a restricted functional space in public life. Respondents in this research included native speakers of the languages under study who have attended civil courtroom sessions either as accused persons or complainants, members of rural communities including community leaders, court interpreters stationed at Binga, Chiredzi and Plumtree magistrates‟ courts and members of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). Data was also collected from minority language advocacy groups including Tonga Language and Cultural Committee (TOLACCO), Shangani Promotion Trust (SPAT) and Kalanga Language and Culture Development (KLCDA) using semi-structured interviews. In addition, participant observation of civil courtroom proceedings involving native speakers of Kalanga, Tonga and Shangani was done. Documentary analysis of colonial and postcolonial language policies in Zimbabwe was also done. Data was analyzed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Ecology of Language theories. The findings for this research revealed that historically, language policy making in Zimbabwe has impacted negatively on the functional roles of Shangani, Tonga and Kalanga in civil courtroom communication because of the lack of implementation clauses in national constitutions. Furthermore, language attitudes that were analyzed in conjunction with a number of factors including age, demographics, naming of provinces, awareness of constitutional provisions on language and language-in-education policies were found to be key determinant factors influencing the sociolinguistic status of Kalanga, Tonga and Shangani in civil courtroom discourse. Court interpreting and initiatives by language advocacy groups also impacted on the sociolinguistic status of the languages under study in civil courtroom interaction. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Phil. (Language, Linguistics and Literature)

The study sought to explore possibilities of harmonising Shona-Nyai cross-border varieties in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Emerging from the responses were problems of attitudes, ignorance of what the harmonisation project entails and the different levels of development among the varieties to be harmonised. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved and they proposed some intervention strategies. Results from the questionnaire, the interview and documents analysed affirmed the generally held view that, the future of Shona-Nyai as a language and culture is securely in the hands of the speakers’ initiatives. The argument of the study has been that, the success of such a harmonisation project depends on the presence of favourable and conducive political and economic conditions through enabling language engineering activities. Information collected from the questionnaires was mainly presented in tables and information from interviews and document analysis was presented qualitatively in words. The language as a right and the language as resource orientations of language planning guided this study. The intention was to show that the preservation of linguistic diversity is important in the maintenance of group and individual identity and harmonisation should further this cause. Findings from this thesis indicate that for a successful harmonisation project to take place there is need for research in the documentation of underdeveloped Shona-Nyai varieties so that they have some presence in the education domain. The study recommends that people’s mindsets must be changed by packaging the harmonisation project in a way which they understand and appreciate. A holistic approach in solving the language problem can be achieved through a mixed approach of language policy formulation. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)