A Coat of Many Colours: A Critical Race Theory Analysis of Language Uses at Two South African Higher Education Institutions

ABSTRACT

Many African higher education entrants have an African language as a first language, whereas English and Afrikaans are default media of instruction in South African higher education institutions (HEIs). This precludes equivalent chances of academic success for students. Linguistic diversity in HEIs might also influence students’ experiences in these institutions. This paper explores the perspectives of undergraduate students at a historically Black higher education institution (HBHEI) and a historically White higher education institution (HWHEI), regarding language use at these institutions and their accompanying experiences. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with 31 students and analysed the data using thematic analysis. We adopted a critical race theory lens to interpret participants’ perspectives. We found enduring marginalisation of African languages, as informed by structural dynamics, and its detrimental effects on students’ academic prospects and experiences, contrasting with the enduring privileging of English and Afrikaans in higher education.

KEYWORDS:

• Critical race theory
• higher education
• language use
• mother-tongue education
• race
• South Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, T.A.T., upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training, under the Education and Emancipation Project at the Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity at the University of Kwazulu-Natal.

Notes on contributors

Tsholofelo Angela Thomas

Tsholofelo Angela Thomas is a lecturer in the department of psychology at the University of Pretoria. She is currently lecturing qualitative research methodology, social psychology, and thesis writing to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research areas include academic success in higher education; language in education; and ethnic identity, race and racism in higher education.

David Maree

David Maree is a registered Research Psychologist and holds PhDs in Psychology and Philosophy. He currently lectures Social Research Methods to undergraduates and psychometrics to MA Research psychology students. He also published on realism and psychology as science.