The North West Language Board anticipates major challenges in monitoring sign language use in various government departments in the province.
The board was reacting to the constitutional 18th amendment earlier this month, which made sign language one of South Africa’s official languages.
The board chairperson, GoitseModimo Seleka said Parliament passed the bill after a year-long process but more work was required to make sign language official.
“When it comes to monitoring, we are going to have a very serious challenge. We will have to work with the government closely especially the Department of Education and the community at large to create awareness in making sure that this language does not only become an official language on paper but it becomes an official language in practice,” he said.
Seleka, however, said the challenge the board was facing was related to compliance and they are struggling as the provincial language committee to get compliance reports from all departments in the province.
“If you go back to the use of social language acts, each department must establish a language unit and ensure the provincial language unit is provided with human resources, administrative resources, and other resources necessary for effective functioning.
“Most departments don’t have language units, so it is a challenge to the government to make sure these acts are implemented, and if they are not implemented there must be repercussions, we keep sending reports to the head office regarding non-compliance of these departments, we also struggle with municipalities,” he said.
The North West has only two sign language schools in Leedoringstad and Phokeng in Rustenburg and the board has called on those who have influence to start embracing the language adding that more people use sign language than spoken language.
The bill has been sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign into law.
