Language policy, language visibility and the standardisation of geographical names in South Africa – the quest for coherency

Abstract

Geographical names add to the realisation of ‘language visibility’ on bilingual name signs. However, bilingual name signs cannot always be divorced from the overall phenomenon of bilingual signs. A measure of coherency sometimes exists between language policy, language visibility and geographical names. Language visibility therefore comprises an important variable in analysing such coherency; geographical names are central to such an analysis. Our question here is how policy makers in South Africa utilise language visibility as factor in realising such coherency. The published findings of the Pan South African Language Board on the treatment of language visibility on public signs can serve as an important source of analysis in answering this question. One specific case, Vriende van Afrikaans (Tygerberg) & DA Language Ombudsman vs. Sanral, includes a relatively detailed set of appropriate guidelines. This article offers an analysis of these findings on the treatment of language visibility on road traffic name signs.

Keywords:

• language visibility
• Pan South African Language Board
• road traffic name signs