Makhaji was mocked earlier this week for speaking in “bad English”, but language experts said that should not have happened.
As South Africans ponder Bafana Bafana's penalty shoot-out defeat in this week's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) semi-final against Nigeria, entertainer Makazi has been accused of consoling the national team with 'bad English' after their relapse. It was ridiculed on social media.
But they wore plaid shems. They fog 🫶🫶🫶🥂
— Makhadzi (@MakhadziSA) February 7, 2024
Whether this was an attempt by Ghana Mama The singer showed off his sense of humor and even made an honest mistake in spelling the word “play” in the past tense. Makazi realized that her “bad English” made her the target of ridicule.
This was not the first time Makazi had been attacked for not having the talent of those who attended Joburg's private school. In 2022, during the promotion of her one-woman show, she thanked her fans for their support, but her mistake was to get nervous again.
“Thank you to everyone who purchased [sic] Tickets to my one-woman show. This Saturday at Macawba Stadium,” she wrote at the time.
Makazi found out that it was bought and not bought, but he still kept saying he bought it… Ai Modimo 😭😭
I will continue to purchase tickets for Saturday.#Makaji One Woman Show pic.twitter.com/Oh0Ddq2G2A
— Vendalullah (@Makhadzi_Enter) September 29, 2022
This baseless ostracism is not limited to award-winning warriors, but appears to be endemic in South African society. At social gatherings and within some families, the person with the most appealing English accent is considered the smartest or most talented.
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fallacy
talk to citizen Dr Nhlanhla Mpofu, Head of Curriculum Studies and Associate Professor of Language Education at Stellenbosch University, says that social pressure to maintain a certain level of English has led to a decline in English proficiency as an indicator of intelligence and education. He said that it stems from a recognition of priorities. , or social status.
“Such attitudes may stem from historical, cultural and economic influences that increase the importance of English in those contexts,” Mpofu says.
“However, this perception is a fallacy created by the growing status of English as the primary means of communication in academic, legislative, business, and entertainment fields.”
The late kwaito star Mandoza, who raps primarily in IsiZulu and township slang, reportedly accidentally said “everyone shout” instead of correctly urging the crowd to shout for him. There's a joke.
“Those who are not fluent in English in these areas are often subject to ridicule, even if their reputation is built using languages other than English,” Mpofu says.
This piece talks a lot about people making fun of people for not being able to speak foreign languages.
“It reflects an alarming reality and internalized negativity towards our own cultural identity. Ridiculing someone for their low proficiency in one language is particularly harmful to others. It emphasizes that we do not give equal respect and status to the mother tongue when we can communicate in three or four languages.”
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Not unique to Mzansi
A meme showing a woman's mouth with gold-plated teeth has been trending for years.
The photo is accompanied by various captions, but the one thing they all have in common is that the girl in the photo represents a woman from the town who cannot speak English fluently. The aforementioned women would be ridiculed because they lack the ability to understand the use of the pronoun “it” and confuse the possessive her it (its) with its contraction (it's).
But Dr Mpofu says this is not unique to South Africa.
“English is becoming more prevalent in many countries, and its status has risen to become the primary medium of teaching and learning,” she says.
“Even in countries where English is the native language, people who are not proficient in the so-called standard language are often the targets of ridicule.”
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Treatment
Dr. Mpofu mocks himself for not being able to speak a particular language This scenario reflects the enduring legacies of apartheid and colonization, and extends far beyond the era itself to our language. and a stark reminder of the injustices inflicted on our cultural heritage.
“Apart from its historical heritage, the English language maintains a global status. Being proficient in English allows individuals to participate in the global community. As a result, social status is People who cannot speak English fluently are unfairly ridiculed because they are seen as outsiders to an international community that they did not choose to be a part of.
She says we can't ignore historical factors and remember that we're part of a global community that primarily communicates in English.
“…However, there is an opportunity to actively promote the use of our own language in jobs where English is currently the dominant language,” says Mpofu.
“English is important as one of the languages spoken in South Africa, but not being able to speak English should not be a source of ridicule. On the contrary, this should broaden our communicative horizons. , should be seen as an effort to embrace linguistic diversity.”
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