<div dir="ltr"><h1 style="margin-top:0px">A multilingual Wits: Sesotho and isiZulu adoption</h1>
<p><strong>Wits University is tabling a multilingual policy that
will incorporate Sesotho and isiZulu as co-languages, along with
English as an official part of campus life, in and outside the
classroom.</strong></p>
<p>The policy also proposes that SA Sign Language be included. The new
policy proposal comes as a recommendation from the Strategic Planning
Division which conducted a surveyed study of Wits students, academic
staff, professional and support services staff and employees in
outsourced services. The study indicates that the number of Sesotho and
IsiZulu speaking members of the Wits community are more or less equal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Associate Professor of Linguistics, Tommaso Milani, told the<a title="Wits Vuvuzela article" href="http://witsvuvuzela.com/2015/04/10/wits-to-adopt-zulu-and-sotho-languages/" target="_blank"> Wits Vuvuzela</a>,
that the proposal has prompted the shift from a bilingual to a
multilingual policy, the languages don’t compete, and that they are just
used by speakers differently. The professor recognizes a need for
broader visibility in the public space of local languages in places such
as logos, for instance.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Despite 2003 adoption, Sesotho language policy never implemented</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The previous language policy was adopted in 2003 where the university
committed to developing Sesotho as a medium of instruction together
with English. This meant researching and developing teaching resources
along with developing the linguistic abilities of staff and students
alike.</p>
<p>The translation of key documents such as application forms and rules,
translation services in disciplinary hearings as well as multilingual
and multicultural practices at ceremonies like graduations were some of
the measures planned under the policy. However, despite the plans, the
Sesotho language policy was never implemented by Wits.</p>
<p>Milani told the university paper that the previous policy was a
‘symbolic policy’, and no real progress was made on the ground to
develop and implement Sesotho on campus. He said the policy was a
document that indicated the university’s “good intentions” in relation
to multilingualism but was never translated into real actions.</p>
<p>“The need was identified but on the whole, no real concerted efforts
were made,” reiterated Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Professor
Andrew Crouch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Financial aspect of policy implementation</strong></p>
<p>According to Milani, to avoid the pitfalls that struck the previous
language policy, the university would have to make sure financial
resources were allocated for the implementation of the new language
policy. Any policy would remain “symbolic” if no or too little money is
set aside for its implementation, said Milani.</p>
<p>Crouch agreed that in order for the project to make Wits
multilingual, it would have to be budgeted for, as it is expected to be
successful.</p>
<p>“You don’t have to lose culture in the sea of economics,” Crouch said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Multilingualism is a part of the curriculum for Wits Medical School
where students have to complete a local language course for them to
graduate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Talks on this multilingual language policy will continue until August
and students and staff are encouraged to voice their opinion. Milani
said that he hopes the policy will “espouse equality in a truly genuine
way.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>– <a title="Original article" href="http://witsvuvuzela.com/2015/04/10/wits-to-adopt-zulu-and-sotho-languages/" target="_blank">Michelle Gumede</a> and Wendy Nyoni</p><p><a href="http://connect.citizen.co.za/4281/a-multilingual-wits-sesotho-and-isizulu-adoption/">http://connect.citizen.co.za/4281/a-multilingual-wits-sesotho-and-isizulu-adoption/</a><br></p><p><br></p><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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