‘Our greatest enemy is ourselves’: A critical analysis of the internal challenges of the Kalanga language revitalisation initiative
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article analyses the influence of an endangered language’s speech community’s internal challenges with the language revitalisation initiative. Deploying theories on the controversial relationship between language and identity, the article examines how diverse language preferences for the speech community’s individual members influence their participation in and support of the language revitalisation initiative/programme. Using a qualitative research methodology that involved key informant interviews and focus group discussions, we found that the different groups from the Kalanga speech community expressed their views and fears on how language choices and preferences negatively influence language revitalisation initiatives. The article concludes that before considering the external challenges and enemies, the speech community must critically examine and address its internal challenges. While external challenges affect progress, the internal challenges make the language speakers their own enemies.
Authors: Isaac Mumpande, Lawrie Barnes
Institution: University of South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7211893390