‘Declaration without implementation’: An investigation into the progress made and challenges faced in implementing the Wits language policy

Abstract

This article examines the progress made and the challenges faced in implementing the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) language policy (2003). Structured interviews were the main source of data. The interviewees constituted three administrators who were involved in formulating the language policy and three lecturers in the Department of African Languages who, by virtue of their profession, are responsible for the implementation process. While the Wits language policy recognises Sesotho as an official language of the institution, the findings of this study show that there are no initiatives to ensure compliance with this policy requirement. Contrary to policy stipulations, efforts are being made to promote the development and use of isiZulu at Wits. Conceptual flaws within the language policy, financial constraints and lack of political will are some of the challenges that are militating against the successful implementation of the language policy. The findings thus confirm Taylor, Rizvi, Lingard and Henry's (1997) observation that policy is largely an object of political symbolism.

Keywords:

• financial constraints
• implementation challenges
• language policy
• political will
• South African languages
• Wits