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 language
policy as South Africa addresses the task of nation-building. Language policy is important because of its key role in
developing and maintaining identity, particularly that of emerging generations. The results of a bad language policy
can be violence and civil war. Language policy, particularly in education, can be instrumental therefore in building a
harmonious nation.