Language attitudes towards the South African Sign Language : the case of the KwaZulu-Natal Deaf Association in Durban

Abstract

South African Sign Language is one of the previously marginalized indigenous languages. Therefore, it is difficult for Deaf people to improve their lives using SASL as a medium of instruction. However, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa recognizes SASL as a language of teaching and learning in schools for the Deaf although it has not yet given the official status equivalent to other languages and Deaf people are still experiencing difficulties in spite of the fact that the Constitution recognizes their language. On the other hand, hearing people believe that Deaf people are disabled and cannot achieve their goals using SASL. As a result, the majority of Deaf people are unemployed, uneducated and largely excluded from mainstream society. The study aims to investigate language attitudes towards SASL by drawing on the lived experiences of the KwaZulu-Natal Deaf Association members. This study was conducted at the KwaZulu-Natal Deaf Association in Durban. The researcher interviewed 27 members of the society including three South African Sign Language Interpreters. Given that the study focuses on a small population, the results cannot be generalized to other Deaf organizations in South Africa. However, the insights that it generates are invaluable to future studies on SASL and the experiences of Deaf people. The study outcomes indicated that there are negative attitudes towards SASL, which emanate from stereotypical views on what constitutes a language. These negative attitudes have perpetuated language barriers and isolated the Deaf community. By conducting this study, the researcher hopes to assist language policy makers and the Deaf community to discover the importance of promoting the use of SASL.