Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This research focuses on the language repertoire, patterns of language use and language preferences
of learners from Afrikaans homes, who are registered in the English first language classes in a
particular Western Cape High School. Out interest is in how a profile of the linguistic resources of such
learners and the context in which their linguistic identity develops may contribute to a perceived
process of language shift in the bilingual/multilingual community where they learn and live. SCHOOL A
is multi-racial and multi-lingual, with a large component of "coloured" learners living in a nearby
predominantly-Afrikaans community. The thesis investigates the linguistic preferences and patterns of
language choice and language use of the selected group of learners across various domains, notably
at home, with relatives, at school, with peers and in their religious communities.
Data from various sources is presented and discussed in detail to illustrate the variety of language
skills of English L1 learners between the ages of 15 and 17 in Grades 10 and 11. This will give an
impression of how multilingual a given section of the local high school population is. The profile tests
whether home language or academic language has a greater influence on the later language choice of
learners whose parents use Afrikaans as home language and who have English as LOLT, meaning
that these learners possibly possess considerable skills in at least two languages.
The data was collected by means of limited access to school records, questionnaires filled out by
learners, interviews with a number of learners and a couple of parents of such learners. This gives a
very good impression of which languages learners know, which they used most, which they prefer
where the choice is between English/Afrikaans bilingualism, English only, Afrikaans only, or codemixed
Afrikaans/English). The thesis reports on the linguistic repertoire and preferences, and also on reasons
given by learners and parents for their selection of one or more of the various community languages in
the different domains. Consideration is given to the possible accommodation of these learners as first
language users of English which is largely a second language in the community, by other community
members and institutions such as school and church.
The critical interest of this thesis is to determine the nature and extent of perceived language shift in
this selected community of learners at a particular Western Cape high school, and to consider whether
such a shift is indicative of a more extensive process of marginalization of Afrikaans in a community
that historically had a strong Afrikaans identity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2586 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Farmer, Jean L. |
| Contributors | Anthonissen, Christine, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of General Linguistics. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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