Is Setswana Under Threat? Prof Thapelo Otlogetswe on Language, Identity, and Nationhood скачать в хорошем качестве

Is Setswana Under Threat? Prof Thapelo Otlogetswe on Language, Identity, and Nationhood

Setswana is widely spoken, yet its public presence is shrinking in ways that should concern every citizen, parent, educator, and leader. This episode asks a direct question: if language is the core of identity and nationhood, what happens when we quietly abandon it? Mr K sits with Prof Thapelo Otlogetswe (Professor of Linguistics and Lexicography) to unpack how Setswana is changing, why domains of use are shrinking, and what practical policy decisions could restore pride, competence, and everyday visibility for our languages. What you’ll learn: What “language dying” means in linguistic terms, and why Setswana is better described as being under pressure How urbanisation and lifestyle change quietly remove vocabulary and cultural meaning from daily speech Why the household shift matters as much as the school system How colonial history and post-independence choices shaped our attitudes toward English and African languages Why language is tied to identity, confidence, and national cohesion A clear policy roadmap: language policy, education requirements, and bilingual labelling to create real demand