Perceptions on the role of social media on the preservation of indigenous languages: A case study of Xitsonga in South Africa

Abstract

The role of social media in language revitalisation, preservation and maintenance efforts has garnered significant attention, particularly concerning indigenous languages in linguistically superdiverse contexts. This study investigates the role of social media in the preservation and maintenance of Xitsonga, an indigenous language spoken by 2.3 million in South Africa. Through a comprehensive case study approach, this research seeks to explore the multifaceted ways in which social media platforms have influenced the preservation, promotion and usage of Xitsonga in its native community and beyond. The researchers followed a quantitative approach in this study. Drawing on quantitative data collected through a questionnaire, the study examined the attitudes, behaviours and perceptions of Xitsonga speakers towards social media as a tool for language preservation. The sample size for this study consisted of 43 respondents from Limpopo and Gauteng provinces of South Africa. The findings reveal that people’s interaction on social media has contributed to the ethnolinguistic vitality of Xitsonga. The findings of this study contribute valuable insights to the burgeoning field of digital linguistics and indigenous language preservation and spread, offering practical alternatives for policymakers, educators, community leaders and language activists seeking to harness the potential of social media in preserving and promoting indigenous languages. By highlighting the experiences and strategies employed in the preservation and maintenance of Xitsonga, this research underscores the transformative power of social media as a catalyst for linguistic empowerment, cultural preservation and community resilience in the face of linguistic endangerment and cultural homogenisation.