The following article from iol.co.za was seen at
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=nw20070725161507801C309784
(via a Google alert) Don
Cabinet decision on languages welcomed
July 25 2007 at 04:33PM
The decision by the cabinet to approve the setting up of structures
that would ensure that government department's documents are available
in all the official languages was welcomed by several organisations on
Wednesday.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal for government departments
to establish language units to implement the language policy framework.
The framework makes provision for all government documents to be
available in all 11 official languages.
"This will definitely create conditions for the development and
promotion of the equal use and enjoyment of the indigenous African
languages in these government institutions, especially because they
have been squeezed to the periphery for so long," the Pan South
African Language Board said.
The organisation was however concerned that some departments lacked
language policies which would form the basis of the language
transformation.
"The decision... is a first, yet far reaching, intervention to ensure
a commitment to multilingualism," the Afrikanerbond said in its reaction.
"This decision by cabinet is a necessary acknowledgement that English,
although it is considered a business and global language, is not and
cannot be the only and all important official language and that the
other languages deserve equal status," the organisation added.
It called for the decision to be extended to all government activities.
Cabinet said on Tuesday "key service delivery" departments would be
prioritised for the implementation including home affairs, justice and
constitutional affairs, Social development, health, safety and
security, correctional services, education, housing, provincial and
local government and land affairs.
- Sapa
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