Language and the Courts

A group of scholars and experts contested this past weekend in an article in the City Press newspaper against making English the only language of record in South Africa’s high courts. According to a Sunday Times report the heads of courts had decided to make English the only official language of record in South African courts. However, there are those who argue that this could breach provisions in the South African constitution which elevate the use of African languages. To assist us on this we have on the line: • Zakeera Docrat, master’s student in African languages at Rhodes University • Cerneels Lourens, director at Lourens Attorney • Alana Bailey, deputy chief executive at Afriforum