Parliament gets ready for language conference (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Parliament gets ready for language conference

Friday February 20, 2004 11:48 - (SA)
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimes/newsst/newsst1077270488.asp

Parliament will be hosting its first conference on multilingualism  next
week - on February 23.

"The conference is part of Parliament's initiative to promote linguistic
 diversity and multilingual education. It is also aimed at raising
awareness  of the country's linguistic and cultural traditions based on
understanding, tolerance and dialogue in post apartheid South Africa,"
says conference working group chairman David Kgware and chairman of the
SA Parliament select committee on education and recreation.

"Multilingualism is found in most nations. Throughout the world, some
6,500 to 7,000 languages have been counted. Ten of these languages are
spoken on a daily basis by 50% of the world's population," Kgware said.

"This indicates that multilingualism is, in fact, a global reality.
However, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation estimates some 3,000 of these languages are now in danger
of disappearing."

"South Africa is in a particularly unusual position in that it has more
official languages at a national level than any other country. Several
indigenous languages are spoken across provincial borders and regions
in  South Africa. These languages are shared by speech communities from
different provinces across the country," added Kgware.

Some 25 languages are spoken in South Africa. Eleven of these languages
have been accorded official status in terms of section 6 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa on the grounds that their
usage includes about 98% of the total population.

"The constitution obliges government to implement this official language
 policy status and use the Pan South African Language Board to promote
respect for other languages, as well as to promote multilingualism and
the development of languages.

"This obligation places South Africa at the cutting edge of global
language policy developments, which presents an exciting opportunity
for the country, particularly for Parliament to oversee this task,"
said Kgware.

Conference speakers include Neville Alexander of the University of Cape
Town and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Naledi
Pandor.