The status of Xitsonga in South African Broadcasting Corporation television channels

Abstract

Language use at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is regulated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation Language Broadcasting Policy (SABC LBP). The SABC LBP emphasizes multilingualism and multilingual service provision and it commits to treat all the official languages equitably and with equal respect. In view of the provisions of the SABC LBP, this article examines the status of Xitsonga in the various genres of drama on SABC television channels to see how it fares. Data was gathered through document analysis of the SABC LBP since it regulates language use at the SABC. The SABC LBP was analysed to examine the apparent adequacy (or lack thereof) of its provisions in as far as language use is concerned in the media. This was complemented by observations of the actual practice in as far as language use is concerned in the various genres of drama on SABC television channels. Semi-structured interviews with Xitsonga speakers were also conducted to solicit information on the language use patterns in the various genres of drama on SABC television channels. The findings of this study showed that the overt and covert provisions of the SABC LBP marginalise less widely spoken and understood languages and those which are not cognate languages since the SABC prioritises the dominant languages. It was noted that Xitsonga fares badly in the various genres of drama on SABC television channels. As a result, Xitsonga speakers are denied access to information through edutainment in their mother tongue. This also means that the SABC marginalises other official languages on the basis of their smaller speaker numbers and that they are not widely spoken or understood or cognate languages. This constitutes a violation of the linguistic human rights of the Xitsonga speakers and their right of access to information. It was also noted that this also constrains the development of Xitsonga and Vatsonga.