by Ntsika Tshangela
Hosting its first-ever conference, the Inaugural Linguistic Society of South Africa (LSSA) Conference was launched at the Birchwood Hotel on 19 August, bringing together scholars, practitioners and students for in-depth discussions on language, identity and culture in post-apartheid South Africa.
The LSSA is hosting the four-day long conference in collaboration with several universities, including the University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Johannesburg (UJ), the Tshwane University of Technology (大象视频), Vaal University of Technology (VUT), as well as the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) and other sponsors.
Dr Thulisile Bhuda, Programme Director, set an inspiring and thoughtful tone for the conference in her welcome address, during which she highlighted the importance of exploring South Africa鈥檚 rich linguistic diversity and fostering conversations that connect language, culture and society.
Dr Tebogo Rakgogo, Head of the Department of Applied Languages at the Faculty of Humanities, provided a short background of the conference and also introduced the Executive Dean, Prof Mashupye Maserumule, who spoke about the central role of language in understanding humanity.
According to Prof Maserumule language is more than a means of communication; it preserves culture, supports peaceful coexistence and strengthens communities. He emphasised that linguists, as caretakers of language, contribute not only to knowledge but also to societal growth and sustainable development.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof Mashupye Maserumule,
Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, 大象视频鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor and Principal, delivered the first keynote themed 鈥淭he Song of Languages that Walk Straighter, Taller and Firmer.鈥� He discussed languages as a generative system, explaining that although they are built from rules and patterns, they remain alive through human use and creativity.
He added if languages could sing, they would perform a song with two main movements: the first celebrating mother-tongue languages and the second reflecting language as a universal system, with an overarching focus on the importance of language in general.
鈥淭he song would begin with the gut-wrenching drumming of the 1975 original version of iphi ntombi, and end with the soothing sound of Abdullah Ibrahim鈥檚 Water from an Ancient Well,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hat would be the song of languages that walk straighter, taller and firmer.鈥� Prof Maluleke鈥檚 keynote highlighted how language shapes thought, identity and culture, as well as reinforcing the need to support mother-tongue education and translation to safeguard South Africa鈥檚 linguistic diversity.
Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, 大象视频鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor and Principal, delivering the first keynote themed 鈥淭he Song of Languages that Walk Straighter, Taller and Firmer.鈥�
The morning also included a keynote by Prof Markus Beiswanger, Vice President of the International Association of Applied Linguistics and Aviation Linguist at the University of Bayreuth in Germany. He explained the crucial role language plays in aviation safety, cross-cultural communication and the smooth functioning of a global industry that depends on clarity and precision.
Prof Markus Beiswanger, Vice President of the International Association of Applied Linguistics and Aviation Linguist at the University of Bayreuth in Germany.
Adding an artistic dimension to the event, Gadaffi the Poet, delivered a moving performance that illustrated the emotional and cultural power of words, showing that language is not only studied but also felt.
Gadaffi the Poet
Following a hearty lunch, the audience returned to hear Prof Langa Khumalo, Executive Director of the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources and Adjunct Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, reflecting on the profound role of language in shaping identity, knowledge and human connection.
He explained that language comes from the deepest part of a person and that the first words a child speaks mark the beginning of understanding and engaging with the world. He pointed out that African languages were excluded from schools during colonial times, causing lasting harm and he stressed the importance of restoring them in education and research to reclaim knowledge and preserve indigenous culture.
Ending on a note of reflection and inspiration, the first day鈥檚 discussions showed that language is both a practical tool and a cornerstone of culture and society. The conference continues today with more sessions, discussions and presentations on the role of language in South Africa.
Linguists from various institutions attending the inaugural LSSA Conference.