Cailynn Pretorius17 March 2025 | 7:37

UCT identifies Afrikaaps, Khoekhoegowab, N|uu as languages for development

This is part of the institution’s recently implemented language policy, which aims to promote marginalised indigenous languages in South Africa.

UCT identifies Afrikaaps, Khoekhoegowab, N|uu as languages for development

Picture: Facebook/Uct.ac.za

CAPE TOWN - The University of Cape Town (UCT) has identified South African Sign Language (SASL), Afrikaaps (Kaaps), Khoekhoegowab and N|uu as languages for development.  

This is part of the institution’s recently implemented language policy, which aims to promote marginalised indigenous languages in South Africa.  

UCT is also encouraging students who are not proficient in an indigenous language to take a course in isiXhosa communication.  

The director for the Multilingualism Education Project (MEP), Professor Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst, said the university offers a variety of languages for its students.  

“We would want to develop the South African Sign Language, which has recently been made one of the twelve official languages in the country. Then you would see the deaf community, the deaf students being able to communicate with the hearing students or hearing lecturers.”