Die konsep Standaardafrikaans : 'n kritiese oorsig en 'n Hallidayaanse perspektief

Abstract

The general term standard Language, as well as the more specific terms: Standard Afrikaans, Standard English and Standard Dutch is problematic, due to their complex nature. The problem is aggravated by the ambiguous meanings attached to these terms by linguists. This study attempts to clarify the problems surrounding the term standard Language, and specifically those related to the term Standard Afrikaans. Although this study concentrates on the concept Standard Afrikaans, the views of linguists on the concepts Standard English and Standard Dutch were also taken into consideration, as the current format of Standard Afrikaans has been strongly influenced by English and Dutch since its first concrete normation in 1917. In order to clearly define the concept Standard Afrikaans, the great number of ambiguous definitions and explanations of the concepts standard Language, Standard Afrikaans, Standard English and Standard Dutch were brought together and arranged in such a way that common denominators regarding these varied opinions of linguists could be identified. A 'contradiction-free' definition of the concept Standard Afrikaans, which was based upon these common denominators, was formulated. Based upon the identified mam cause of linguists' diversified opinions regarding the concept standard language, linguists' views of this concept were categorized: those according to which standard Language is an idealized form of language, and those according to which standard Language is regarded as a form of language usage in real life situations. The diversified data on twentieth century linguistic views regarding Standard Afrikaans which could be traced in relevant literature were placed in chronological order and commented upon -thus giving a critical outline and discovering the relations between these views. A second objective of this study is a definition of the concept Standard Afrikaans from a Hallidayean perspective. After having explained relevant aspects of Halliday's systemic functional model of language, a definition of the concept Standard Afrikaans was formulated according to this model. Seeing that the definition based upon common denominators, could not account for the differences concerning the viewpoints of linguists, and specific foreknowledge is required to fully comprehend the Hallidayean definition, a third integrating definition was formulated. The latter grasped the core of the concept Standard Afrikaans (as disclosed by this study) in easily accessible language, so that a clear understanding of the form, function and status of Standard Afrikaans is made possible, especially for teachers (the main conveyors of the concept Standard Afrikaans), but also for other language normators.