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ENG3701 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2023
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THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS AN IN DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE SPREAD OF ENGLISH
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ENG3701ASSIGNMENT 2
SEMESTER 1
2023
Introduction
English is an official language in South Africa and has a strong presence in the country.
However, its dominance has been contested by the intelligentsia, who argue that the use of
English entrenches unequal power relations in the country. According to Gough (1996: xix
cited in Silva, 1997: 175), English is not a neutral language, and its imposition as the standard
language discriminates against the majority of the country's citizens. This essay aims to
respond to Gough's statement and explore the use of externally focused standards in English
and how this disadvantages the majority of South Africans. Furthermore, the essay will
discuss the development of South African English as an indigenized variety of English and its
, emergence as a South African norm. The discussion will be linked to Schneider's "Dynamic
Model" of the evolution of Postcolonial Englishes.
The Use of Externally Focused Standards in English
The use of externally focused standards in English has been a controversial issue in South
Africa. Externally focused standards refer to language norms that are based on the variety of
English spoken in the United Kingdom or the United States. These standards are often
imposed on non-native speakers of English, who are expected to conform to them. However,
this approach disregards the fact that English is a global language spoken by people with
diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
In South Africa, the use of externally focused standards in English disadvantages the majority
of the population. English is often used as a medium of instruction in schools and universities,
which means that students are expected to learn and use the language in an academic
context. However, the use of externally focused standards in English creates a language
barrier that affects the quality of education received by the majority of South Africans. The
imposition of a single standard of English marginalizes learners whose home language is not
English, and creates a linguistic divide between those who are proficient in English and those
who are not.
Furthermore, the use of externally focused standards in English perpetuates the colonial
legacy of South Africa. The imposition of a single standard of English reinforces the notion
that English is the language of power and privilege, and marginalizes other indigenous
languages. This creates a situation where non-English speakers are at a disadvantage when it
comes to accessing employment opportunities and participating in political and social life.
The Development of South African English as an Indigenized Variety of English
Despite the challenges posed by the use of externally focused standards in English, South
African English has evolved as an indigenized variety of English. The indigenization of English
refers to the adaptation of the language to local linguistic and cultural contexts. This process
involves the incorporation of local vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation into the
language.
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