THE Department of Public Service and Administration wants to do business in three languages: IsiZulu‚ English and Setswana.
But it is feared the move, set out in a policy draft for public comment, will leave other languages in the cold.
Pan African South African Languages Board chief executive Mpho Monareng said the policy was important to promote SA’s languages‚ but this could be "reckless" if the process was not co-ordinated properly.
"It’s a good idea‚ but you need a plan to ensure that all languages are represented well. It might not be sensible to give traction to certain languages‚" said Monareng.
"My worry is languages like XiTsonga and XiVenda will suffer because they are not popular."
Afriforum deputy chief executive Alana Bailey said: "Some departments‚ such as justice‚ use a very fair and sensible approach by using all languages …. in a key department such as public service‚ this would have been the best option."
The department proposes to use IsiZulu‚ English and Setswana — on request — to communicate with other departments‚ members of the public and on official forms. English will be the medium of communication in the department.
Department spokesman Dumisani Nkwamba said the policy was still subject to public comment. "This is a draft policy. Members of the public have 30 days to make submissions.
"We are going to study the submissions and the (director-general) will make a decision."
Nkwamba said the department could add more languages, depending on public feedback.
He said the policy was drawn up in response to a directive from the Department of Arts and Culture‚ custodian of the Use of Languages Act of 2012.
According to the act‚ "every department‚ national public entity and national enterprise must adopt a language policy on its use of official languages".
If the proposed three languages are adopted‚ any member of the public needing to communicate with the department in another language will have to put in a written request‚ which will be considered within 30 days.
That would also apply to people wanting to communicate with the department in sign language.
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