The Use Of Mother Tongue Within And Outside The Lecture Halls Of Higher Institutions Of Learning: A Case Of A University In Limpopo Province

Abstract

This article is an ethnographic case study of the language attitudes and behaviours of Xitsonga students at the University of Limpopo. The researcher spent time with Xitsonga students in the School of Education and in the School of Languages and Communication Studies, where Xitsonga is offered as a module. The researcher also used her class in the School of Education and observed lectures in the School of Languages and Communication Studies to develop a case which can be used to enrich an understanding of other cases. The study was qualitative in nature within the interpretivism paradigm. Research instruments namely interviews, documentary review and observations were used for data collection. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) and thick descriptions were used to analyse the data coded into themes to highlight the power play between English and the indigenous languages, with particular reference to Xitsonga. The results indicated that the environment at the University of Limpopo does not afford Xitsonga students the desire and motivation required to interrelate in Xitsonga. The researcher also observed that language is only recognized for greeting purposes and cultural activities. As such, most Vatsonga students do not contribute to the development of the language. The study therefore recommends that the institution language policy be revised and implemented accordingly to cater appropriate use of the SOVENGA languages.