Abstract:

The interference of non-standard varieties of isiZulu in isiZulu language learning on students’ performance at a University of Technology (UoT) in Gauteng, investigates the positive and negative impact that non-standard varieties may have in isiZulu language learning and also the interference of non-standard varieties with the correct usage of standard isiZulu language at a UoT.

The researcher purposefully sampled 85 respondents (80 students, 3 lecturers and 2 Department of Arts and Culture workers) at a University of Technology (UoT). The researcher used a mixed-methods approach including both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The responses from 60 disseminated questionnaires, 15 interviews and 10 proficiency tests from a sociolinguistic profile of the non-standard varieties at a UoT. The dissemination of questionnaires and interviews and proficiency tests occurred almost simultaneously. The quantitative approach was used to convert the qualitative questionnaire data, based on the frequency of response type into percentage.

The article revealed that non-standard varieties have both a positive and negative impact in isiZulu language learning. The article also revealed that non-standard varieties are interfering with the correct usage of a standard language; this interference of non-standard varieties in isiZulu language learning is the cause of students’ poor performance.

Keywords:

Standard language, non-standard language, language as a barrier, language of learning and teaching.