The impact of non-standard varieties of isiZulu language learning on students' performance at a university of technology in Gauteng

• Published in: South African Journal of African Languages 2023-09, Vol.43 (3), p.292-297
• Main Authors: Gumede, Zempilo S, Majola, Yanga LP, Mbatha, Nontobeko T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: College students; Interviews; Language; Language usage; Language varieties; Learning outcomes; Learning transfer; Linguistic interference; Nonstandard dialects; Qualitative research; Quantitative analysis; Questionnaires; Sociolinguistics; Standard dialects; Students; Zulu language
• ISSN: 0257-2117; 2305-1159
• DOI: 10.1080/02572117.2023.2294625

The impact of non-standard varieties of isiZulu language learning on students' performance at a university of technology (UoT) in Gauteng incorporates the investigation of the positive and negative impacts that non-standard varieties may have in isiZulu language learning and the interference of non-standard varieties with its correct standard usage. The researchers purposefully sampled 85 respondents (80 students, three lecturers and two Department of Arts and Culture workers) at a UoT. They used a mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The responses from 60 questionnaires, 15 interviews and 10 proficiency tests form a sociolinguistic profile of the non-standard varieties at a UoT. The dissemination of questionnaires, interviews and proficiency tests occurred almost simultaneously. A quantitative approach was used to analyse the qualitative questionnaire data, based on the frequency of response type as a percentage. The article reveals that non-standard varieties have both a positive and negative impact on isiZulu language learning and that non-standard varieties interfere with the correct usage of a standard language. The article concludes that this interference of non-standard varieties in isiZulu language learning is the cause of students' poor performance.