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The Case of the Toothless Watchdog

Language Rights and Ethnic Mobilization in South Africa

University of California, USA

Numerous scholars and activists have advocated a notion of language rights as a tool by which minority ethnic groups may protect their cultural integrity against the incursions of hegemonic groups. At the same time, critics have problematized language rights as a dangerous notion that may provoke inter-ethnic competition or worse. This article seeks to contribute to this debate a case study of the ‘rights mediation function’ of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), a central component of South Africa’s uniquely progressive language rights framework. First, it is considered whether PanSALB’s support of ‘group’ language rights gives incentive to potentially divisive ethnic mobilization. Second, the efficacy and equitability of PanSALB’s service delivery is interrogated, as are the responses of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to ethnolinguistic grievance. This article concludes that PanSALB does not give incentive to ethnic mobilization, but fails to protect language rights, and, as a structure, serves to co-opt civil society and help make ‘docile bodies’ of ordinary citizens.

Key Words: ANC • conflict • constitution • ethnicity • law

Ethnicities, Vol. 4, No. 4, 501-521 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1468796804047471


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