Taalhoudings teenoor Afrikaanse variëteite : 'n indirekte benadering

Abstract

Language functions within the confines of the wider society. It is, however, considered a social act and for that reason, there are several ways in which language functions and is applied (Kotzé, 2011:749). As a result, individuals in society use language in such a way that it accommodates the speaker as well as the listener. Consequently, variation arises, which distinguishes groups and individuals from one another. This distinction that is made often leads to stigmatisation and exposes attitudes that are formed towards a particular speaker and their specific manner of speaking. This study examines individuals’ language attitudes towards the variations found in the Afrikaans language and the respective speakers thereof. The individuals involved in the study are white, brown, male, and female first language speakers of Afrikaans. The varieties examined focus specifically on Kaaps and Standard Afrikaans. The reason for this can be attributed to the fact that Kaaps and Standard Afrikaans are the two variations that are often stereotyped by language communities. The variations involved may also be considered as extremes of each other. The attitudes towards the relevant language variations examined in this study have been touched upon many times within the literature. Relevant studies often focus on the stereotypess towards Kaaps and the problems surrounding the standard language or Standard Afrikaans. However, it has not yet been investigated within the methodological framework of the ‘verbal-guise’ technique as a variant of the ‘matched-guise’ technique, which is used in this study. This study’s relevance surrounds the fact that there are not enough accurate impressions of people’s attitudes towards Kaaps and Standard Afrikaans and that decisions regarding language can be based on false impressions. The awareness created by and the attitudes captured regarding individuals’ language attitudes in the Afrikaans community are of great importance because it makes an overall contribution with regard to language planning. By making a contributing with regards to language planning, it placesemphasis on the progression and/or regression of Afrikaans, especially in the secondary and tertiary sectors. The progression or regression of Afrikaans in these sectors has a direct impact on the vitality of the language. The awareness of Afrikaans’ vitality is especially necessary due to the debates surrounding Afrikaans being a dying language. The main findings show that language attitudes found towards Kaaps and Standard Afrikaans since 1994 are unchanged from what they were before. In general, there are negative

language attitudes towards Kaaps, as opposed to positive language attitudes towards Standard Afrikaans. Female respondents still have positive language attitudes towards Standard Afrikaans due to the real and/or imagined status associated with it.