Mixed reaction to 12th language by Pretoria residents
Pretoria residents are expressing their feelings about the new 12th official language
The President’s declaration of signing the 12th official language at the Union Buildings on Wednesday has drawn mixed reactions.
Khoisan King SA said that he is devastated that sign language will be made an official language yet the language of the first nation people, who roamed this continent before any colonisation took place, is being ignored.
“What’s worse is that the first nation people handed over a memorandum to the President in 2017 which stated among others that the Khoi & San language must be an official language,” he added.
King said they have been ignored and sidelined by the same government that says it wants to advocate and rectify the injustice done by apartheid.
But other citizens are happy about the declaration, saying it will bring new learning opportunities.
Pretoria resident Kgaugelo Shongwe said the declaration will make citizens more aware of sign language and the education system more accommodating of every learner.
He said he believes it will lead to the employment of more people who are deaf and mute but will take adapting and learning because not a lot of people know the language.
Clebber Cassinda said that people who use sign language were born like that and they need to be accepted as they are.
“It’s not their fault, they grew up like that and sign language is a language we all have to learn,” Cassinda added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said by making sign language official, the government aims to advance rights to substantive equality, dignity and social inclusion.
“To empower people to use their language is to affirm their humanity. This official recognition of sign language follows an intensive and extensive public consultation process.”
He said the recognition of sign language as an official language will address access to education and economic participation as well as open doors to other social opportunities.
“People with hearing impairments will be able to also access more services, public information and a host of other opportunities.”
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