South Africa’s Evolving Language Policy: Educational Implications

Abstract

South Africa is facing the challenge of creating a viable nation from a situation of interplay between diverse racial,ethnic and linguistic forces. This article discusses the implications for education of the evolving picture of languagepolicy as South Africa addresses the task of nation-building. Language policy is important because of its key role indeveloping and maintaining identity, particularly that of emerging generations. The results of a bad language policycan be violence and civil war. Language policy, particularly in education, can be instrumental therefore in building aharmonious nation.