Die aard van standaardafrikaans in SABC-nuusbulletins

Abstract

Research on the nature of Standard Afrikaans in SABC news bulletins indicates that the regulation of the use of language in broadcasts is no longer done accurately as was the case in the past. It is important for this problem to be given sufficient attention and to be researched, since it became obvious from an exhaustive literature study that broadcasting is seen to be an authoritative language standardiser. Language mistakes made in broadcasts therefore hold the potential of gaining acceptance in listeners’ use of language. Hence it leads to the general weakening of the colloquial language involved. Furthermore, it was established that language regulation is currently only practised informally, because the current policy documents of the SABC only focus on the fair, equal and just treatment of all the official languages of South Africa. This custom is in stark contrast with the language policy of the broadcaster, then also the SAUK, prior to 1994, in which measures ratified the official and continued regulation of the language use in broadcasts. In terms of the SABC’s language policy the Committee for Language Advice (Komitee vir Taaladvies – KTA) and a full-time language advisor were responsible for all aspects of language standardisation at Afrikaans service areas. Arising from the afore-mentioned, this study specifically focuses on the nature of Standard Afrikaans in the news broadcasts at the public broadcaster’s Afrikaans radio service. The empirical study entails that radio news bulletins broadcasted prior to 1994 were compared with radio news bulletin broadcasts post-1994. This includes the qualitative analysis of the eight collected news bulletins broadcasted over a period of 64 years. This analysis and interpretation was performed within specific fields within linguistics, namely phonology, syntax and lexicon. From the analysis it was found that tangible changes have occurred concerning language between the bulletins of the respective eras. Following the analysis, three email interviews were conducted with individuals that are or were involved at the SABC. Hence it has also become clear that the high premium placed on the use of good, correct Standard Afrikaans prior to 1994 has faded away in the present-day context. In the interest of solving this problem it is recommended that the SABC amend the current language policy. In terms of this policy, funds for official language advisors that can regulate the use of language in broadcasts need to be accommodated in future budgets.