Changing livelihoods, language use and language shift amongst Basarwa of Botswana

Abstract

This study explores the historical relationship between the languages of Basarwa of Botswana and Setswana, in order to understand the dynamics underpinning their appropriation of the Setswana language, as they adjust to their changing livelihoods. The study contributes towards the promotion of a better understanding and awareness of the issues of language shift and language use amongst Basarwa. Basarwa occupy the lowest rungs of the social ladder in Botswana. Due to the close association between the status of the people and the status of their language, the Basarwa languages accordingly rank low in use and status nationally (Andersson & Janson, 2004, p. 118; Batibo, 2005, p. 71). Like the other minority languages, the Basarwa languages also have a low status and a low prestige in education and in written discourse. Moreover, the study observes that in their quest to mediate their socio-economic marginalisation, Basarwa have had to appropriate Setswana, the dominant national language for survival. However, their appropriation of the Setswana Language has had deleterious effects on their languages and overall socio-cultural identity. In this context, the nationally dominant Setswana language not only dominates public discourse, but also official spoken discourse as well, while English dominates official written discourse (Andersson & Janson, 1993, pp. 83–84). The sources used to guide this analysis include secondary material, official and unofficial documents, as well as the author's own observations, as a Motswana and an educationist.

Keywords:

• Khoesan languages
• Basarwa/Khoesan/Bushman/San
• language use
• language shift
• changing livelihoods
• Basarwa livelihoods

Notes

1. These views were also expressed at other conferences, such as the International Khoesan Conference held in Gaborone, September 2003 and the Mother Tongue Education Conference held in Gaborone, 2–5 June 2005.

2. Veld products constitute things, such as thatching grass, palm (mokola) used in basket making, fruit in season, nuts and herbs, medicinal plants, such as the Devil's Claw, truffle and cochineal dye, which is derived from the cochineal insect (Perrett, 1996).

3. These views were expressed by some of the San leaders who attended the First San Regional Education Conference held at Okahandja, Namibia from 7–11 May 2001.

4. The Vision 2016 in particular subscribes to cultural diversity. To this end, the pillars of 2016 are being translated into the various languages, including minority languages of Botswana. This is also the stance adopted by Reteng, the Multucultural Coalition of Botswana.