Onomastic Controversy on Sepedi and Northern Sotho/Sesotho sa Leboa Language Names: A Forensic Linguistic Perspective

Abstract

This article interrogated the existence of Sepedi, Northern Sotho and Sesotho sa Leboa as different language names that are used to designate one and the same language. The researcher’s main intention was to determine if the socio-onomastic dissension that is caused by the aforementioned language names qualifies to be resolved from a legal point of view. Content analysis as a qualitative research approach was used, where the researcher mainly focused on constitutional imperatives, relevant legislations and minutes of the Joint Parliamentary Constitutional Review Committee. The article established that the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court as well as the Department of Justice and Correctional Services have failed in their responsibilities, specifically in resolving the matter under discussion. The article further pronounced that the current defiance and disregard of Section 6(1) of the Constitution of South Africa, Act No. 108 of 1996 was exacerbated by poor monitoring and evaluation, lack of public accountability, poor oversight and confusion of roles and responsibilities between the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. The intervention by a competent court of law is recommended since the matter has been dragging since the finalisation of the Constitution in 1996. The article contributes to scientific knowledge by presenting the perspective that, from a legal point of view, Sepedi is the official language, not Northern Sotho or Sesotho sa Leboa. Keywords: Sepedi, Northern Sotho, Sesotho sa Leboa, Constitutional Assembly, Interim Constitution, Final Constitution, Constitutional Court, Language and Law, Linguistic Rights, Constitutional Democracy.