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AfriForum expressed disappointment with the Equality Court judgment that declined the application of language activist Cerneels Lourens’ for the state to translate all legislation in all eleven official languages.  AfriForum however congratulated Lourens – with his application he focussed much needed attention on the issue of language rights in South Africa.

According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum responsible for language issues, AfriForum will support Lourens’ appeal.  “We believe that citizens have the right to have access to legislation in all eleven official languages.  Currently 49 million South Africans do not have this opportunity.  They have to rely on translations with no official status.  Translation errors in such unofficial versions may cost them dearly and jeopardise more than just their language rights,” she explained.

“AfriForum applauds Lourens for his application that proved that the translation of all legislation published annually in eleven languages is neither unaffordable nor impractical.  Internationally it is a common practice.  The EU even publishes legislation in more than twenty languages.”

According to Bailey the reaction received in response to the case has been incredible.  Not only the Afrikaans community, but also members of the other nine South African official language groups expressed their support in favour of Lourens’ application.  It has done much to make South Africans aware of their language rights.

“In a democracy where cultural and language diversity forms an integral part of the social order, the recognition of language rights and equal treatment of all official languages can do much to promote mutual respect and stability.  The fact that English currently is the only language in which all legislation is published, may erode the spirit of legitimacy and participation in the state amongst the speakers of the other ten languages.  We hope an appeal with be successful and will reverse this undesirable situation.”

Members of the public who would like to support the appeal, can contribute R10-00 by sending their names by SMS to 38655.

Issued by AfriForum