[lg policy] South Africa: VKB Language Policy

[Harold Schiffman]

VKB Language Policy
1. Objectives and Field

The objectives of this policy document is to explain policy principles
with regard to the use of language in all internal and external
communication of the VKB.
2. Policy Principles

Paragraph(5) (a) (i) of chapter 1 of the Constitutional Provisions of
the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996,
states that the Pan South African Language Board  (PANSALB), which was
established by national legislation, inter alia "must create and
promote conditions for the development and use of all official
languages".

Any one of the official languages of South Africa may therefore be
used in order to reach the business objectives of the VKB. The group's
choice of language depends on the said objective as well as on the
conditions and legislative requirements.

The main principles of this policy are as follows:
2.1 Written Language

Written language includes but is not limited to the following:
2.1.1 Internal communication and the keeping of records

For cost-effective reasons, the internal language of communication and
the keeping of records of the VKB is Afrikaans. For this reason all
communication material, including manuals, circulars and letters are
issued in Afrikaans only, as an alternative the preferential language
of the parties will be used.
2.1.2 Reporting

In the event where the VKB is obliged to communicate with, for
example, external parties, it will be done in the preferential
language of the parties. Should the VKB in general communicate  with
its contributing experts, the group will use Afrikaans mainly, but
where applicable, the other official language will be used.
2.2 Verbal Communication

In the event of verbal communication the VKB's policy means that a
client will be served in the language of his choice if, at the branch
concerned, there is a person available who (1) understands and is able
to to speak the language; (2) understands the product or service and
(3) is indeed available at that specific time. If not, English will be
used. From a marketing and business point of view, branches shall take
the main languages used in their respective areas into account when
personnel is appointed.

http://www.vkb.co.za/index.php/en/about-us/language-policy

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