Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique
South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world protecting the linguistic and cultural rights of Deaf people. However, there is a huge gap between policies and reality in schools for Deaf learners in South Africa. In this paper we critically unpack and reflexively explore the...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
| Published: |
Stellenbosch University
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Per Linguam : A Journal of Language Learning |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://perlinguam.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/648 |
| _version_ | 1819092498587320320 |
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| author | Morgan, Ruth Zilla Glaser, Meryl Magongwa, Lucas |
| author_facet | Morgan, Ruth Zilla Glaser, Meryl Magongwa, Lucas |
| author_sort | Morgan, Ruth Zilla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world protecting the linguistic and cultural rights of Deaf people. However, there is a huge gap between policies and reality in schools for Deaf learners in South Africa. In this paper we critically unpack and reflexively explore the linguistic and cultural issues that emerged during the process of creating and implementing the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum. This curriculum was produced as a result of a landmark court case. We use an ethnographic framework based on our own reflections, discussions with Deaf people, notes from meetings, and discussions with the other team members. Why and how did the process that started off with so much energy, excitement and goodwill break down? We argue that a key reason for this breakdown is inadequate linguistic knowledge and cultural sensitivity in relation to SASL and Deaf cultural identity. The paper concludes with an outline of lessons learnt. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:56:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22d614eea7994dba8e7932397a1c7be5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0259-2312 2224-0012 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:56:35Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Per Linguam : A Journal of Language Learning |
| spelling | doaj.art-22d614eea7994dba8e7932397a1c7be52022-12-21T18:47:25ZafrStellenbosch UniversityPer Linguam : A Journal of Language Learning0259-23122224-00122016-12-01322152910.5785/32-2-648Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critiqueMorgan, Ruth Zilla 0Glaser, Meryl 1Magongwa, Lucas 2University of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the WitwatersrandSouth Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world protecting the linguistic and cultural rights of Deaf people. However, there is a huge gap between policies and reality in schools for Deaf learners in South Africa. In this paper we critically unpack and reflexively explore the linguistic and cultural issues that emerged during the process of creating and implementing the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum. This curriculum was produced as a result of a landmark court case. We use an ethnographic framework based on our own reflections, discussions with Deaf people, notes from meetings, and discussions with the other team members. Why and how did the process that started off with so much energy, excitement and goodwill break down? We argue that a key reason for this breakdown is inadequate linguistic knowledge and cultural sensitivity in relation to SASL and Deaf cultural identity. The paper concludes with an outline of lessons learnt.http://perlinguam.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/648South African Sign LanguageCAPS CurriculumDeaf culture |
| spellingShingle | Morgan, Ruth Zilla Glaser, Meryl Magongwa, Lucas Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique Per Linguam : A Journal of Language Learning South African Sign Language CAPS Curriculum Deaf culture |
| title | Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique |
| title_full | Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique |
| title_fullStr | Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique |
| title_full_unstemmed | Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique |
| title_short | Constructing and rolling out the new South African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum – Reflexive critique |
| title_sort | constructing and rolling out the new south african sign language sasl curriculum reflexive critique |
| topic | South African Sign Language CAPS Curriculum Deaf culture |
| url | http://perlinguam.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/648 |
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