Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a language and communication specialist

Selecting the correct career is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.

Over the coming weeks, the African Reporter will profile businesspersons, professionals and other role players, focusing on a different career each week.

By doing this, the paper aims to give guidance to younger readers exploring career choices. This week’s focus is on the career of a language practitioner. Lorraine Shabangu has been a language and communication specialist for over 10 years and does academic work.

“I have been active professionally in media, communications and language practice, so my experience has grown across different platforms over the years.

“My passion for language and literature started early, as far back as primary school. I was fortunate to have teachers in primary and high school who recognised and nurtured that passion. They encouraged me to read widely, write, and take languages seriously as a discipline.

“That foundation stayed with me and inspired me to pursue African languages and literature all the way into my postgraduate studies and professional work,” said Shabangu.

Shabangu noted that one of the advantages in her field is the flexibility, saying she can work across different platforms, whether in academia, media, communications or advocacy.

“It is also rewarding to know that my work helps give African languages visibility and value in society. Another advantage is the sense of purpose; you know you are contributing to the preservation of culture, identity and history.

“The disadvantages are often structural. African languages do not always get the same financial support, publishing opportunities or visibility as dominant languages, so you sometimes face a lack of resources or recognition. It can also take extra effort to convince institutions and funders of the value of this work.

“But for me, the rewards far outweigh the challenges, and the challenges themselves are what make the work necessary,” she explained.

Her advice to people with a passion for languages and culture is to follow their passion wholeheartedly because languages and culture are at the heart of who we are.

“Do not think of it as a ‘soft’ subject. It is a powerful field that shapes education, media, policy and even technology.

“If you love languages, read widely, write often, and pay attention to the way people speak and tell stories. Take every opportunity to learn from your elders, literature and everyday conversations,” she said.

“Those experiences will give you insights no textbook can. Most importantly, believe that working with languages matters. It is not just about words; it is about preserving identity, giving communities a voice and creating a future where African languages stand proudly alongside any other languages in the world.”

What is linguistics?
It is the scientific study of language.

How does it apply to African languages?
While linguistics is a broader study of languages and how they have developed, African Linguistics/Linguistics in African Languages focuses on the scientific study of African languages and (but not limited to) their origin, development and structure.

What does an African languages and linguistics professional do?
The scope of work is quite broad, yet interlinked. When you think about it, language is in everything we do. A professional in this space could be an academic in literature or linguistics, working in editing, copywriting, publishing, media and communication, language policymaking, or a cultural activist – the list goes on.

Why is it important to study and preserve African languages in today’s world?
By studying African languages, we also study ourselves. This allows for the preservation of our history as a people so that future generations know who they are and where they come from. With the growing digital footprint, our own languages can be stored and studied for many years to come.

For me, studying and preserving African languages is about more than just communication; it is about safeguarding our identity, history, and culture. Our languages carry the stories, values, and worldviews of our people. When they fade, we lose parts of ourselves and the knowledge systems that have sustained communities for generations.

Lorraine Shabangu is a language practitioner. Photo: Lorraine Shabangu

In today’s world, where dominant languages often overshadow African ones, it is even more important to affirm their worth. Preserving them ensures that future generations can access their heritage in their mother tongue, and it allows African perspectives to continue shaping global conversations.

It is also a matter of justice. If we are serious about building an inclusive society, then African languages must have a central place in education, literature, media and public life. SA’s multilingualism is one of its greatest strengths, and protecting our languages is key to realising that promise.

How does this field differ from simply studying a single African language?
Studying African Linguistics/Linguistics in African Languages goes beyond learning one language; it looks at the bigger picture of how African languages work, relate to each other and shape our societies.

When you study a single language, you focus on its grammar, literature or cultural use. In linguistics, you look at the systems and patterns across many languages: How they evolve, influence identity, carry history and are used in different social and political contexts.

For me, this field is about understanding language as both structure and power, not just the mechanics of speaking but also the role languages play in knowledge production, education and nation-building.

What does a typical workday look like for you?
There is no real “typical” day for me, and that is what I enjoy about this profession. Some days are very academic, working on my PhD research. Others are more outward-facing, where I work with the media or consult on projects.

I also dedicate time to my advocacy and board work, where I engage on issues of language, culture and social justice. So, my days move between research, writing, meetings and community work. That mix keeps me constantly learning and connected.

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What kinds of projects or problems do linguists working with African languages usually tackle?
That is an interesting question, and I should clarify that while my field is African languages and linguistics, my focus is more on the literary side. So, instead of working on purely linguistic problems like phonetics or syntax, I look at how African languages live in literature, performance and media.

Broadly speaking, linguists working with African languages might focus on issues such as documenting endangered languages, developing orthographies or improving teaching and translation methods. My work has been broader, from contributing to Sesotho literature and academic research to editing and communications projects that make African languages visible in publishing, media and public life.

In that sense, I see my role as helping to ensure African languages are not just studied, but also used, developed and celebrated across different platforms.

Which skills are vital to succeed in African languages and linguistics?
I think the key skills depend on which side of the field you are in, the linguistic or the literary, but some do cut across. One is a strong grounding in critical thinking and analysis, because whether you are studying a text, a language system or a social issue, you need to be able to interpret and connect ideas.

Another is communication, written and oral. In African languages and linguistics, we constantly translate knowledge across languages, audiences and disciplines, so the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively is vital.

Then, I would add cultural awareness and adaptability. Working with African languages means engaging with communities, histories and identities. You need to be open to different perspectives and committed to preserving and affirming voices often marginalised. In my work, I would say the combination of research skills, writing, translation and advocacy has been essential.

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What tools or methods are used to study, document or analyse languages?
There are many tools and methods, depending on the angle of the work. Linguists might use things like fieldwork recordings, dictionaries or phonetic software to document and analyse how a language sounds and functions. Others work on developing orthographies or compiling corpora, large collections of texts, to study patterns of use.

On the literary and applied side, where my focus lies, the tools are often texts themselves: novels, plays, oral traditions and translations. I look at how language is used in literature and media to reflect everyday life, political realities and cultural memory.

So, whether it is through technology, community research or close reading of texts, the methods are all geared towards the same goal: Preserving, understanding and strengthening African languages.

What are the most rewarding aspects of working in this field?
One is the flexibility it gives me. I work across various platforms and mediums, from academia and literature to media, communications and even advocacy. That means I can contribute to the public sector, community spaces, or private projects.

What challenges come with working on African languages, especially those that are less documented?
Working on African languages always has challenges, especially when the language is less documented or less resourced. In my case, my focus is on Sesotho, which is widely spoken but still faces barriers regarding visibility in publishing, academia and media.

One of the challenges is access. There are fewer resources, fewer published works and, sometimes, limited platforms where the language is given the same weight as English or Afrikaans. Another challenge is support. Research and creative work in African languages often do not receive the same institutional or financial backing, which can make it difficult to sustain projects.

For me, this makes the work urgent and meaningful. Despite the challenges, it is about ensuring that Sesotho literature, thought, and voices are preserved and developed so they continue to thrive for future generations.

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Which school subjects prepare learners for a career in linguistics or African languages?
If you enjoy languages at school, whether it is your home language, English or another African language, that is already a great start. Literature is also important because you learn how language is used in stories and how it connects to culture.

But it is not just about language subjects. History and social sciences help you see how language links to people’s lives, while subjects that build your writing and critical thinking skills are also useful.

So, if you love reading, writing or learning about people and culture, you already have the right building blocks for a career in African languages.

What undergraduate qualifications or academic paths lead to this profession?
The most direct path is through a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in African Languages, Linguistics, Literature, or a related field, like Translation Studies, Language Practice, or Media and Communication. Many SA universities, like Wits, Pretoria, Rhodes, Unisa, and Stellenbosch, offer African Languages as a major. From there, you can specialise with Honours, Master’s, and PhD studies, depending on your research interest, teaching or applied work.

However, university is not the only path. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) also play an important role, especially through programmes in language practice, communication studies, media and public relations.

These are more applied qualifications, giving learners practical skills in translation, editing, writing and media communication. They can be a stepping stone into the workplace or a bridge into university studies later.

Which universities or institutions in SA and beyond offer strong programmes in African languages and linguistics?
Many SA institutions have strong programmes, with each having its own area of focus.

Some include:
• Wits University;
• University of Cape Town;
• University of Pretoria;
• University of Johannesburg;
• Stellenbosch University;
• Rhodes University;
• University of South Africa;
• University of the Free State;
• North-West University.

Internationally, a notable institution is the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK.

What career opportunities exist for professionals in this field in education, research, technology or cultural work?
There are many career opportunities spanning across various sectors. These include education and research, translation and media, technology, and cultural and advocacy work.

How do African languages and linguistics contribute to preserving culture, identity and history?
They play a vital role in preserving culture, identity and history because language is where so much of that lives. Our proverbs, oral traditions, literature and even everyday expressions carry the wisdom, values and worldviews of communities.

When those languages are studied, documented and promoted, we are actively protecting those cultural archives. In essence, African languages and linguistics are not just academic; they are about keeping alive the memory and identity of people, while also creating space for those voices in the present and future.

Where do you see the future of African languages and linguistics heading, especially with digitalisation, AI and globalisation?
I think the future of African languages and linguistics is exciting, especially with the rise of digitalisation and AI. For a long time, African languages were sidelined in technology and global platforms. However, now, we are seeing more initiatives to create digital dictionaries, translation tools and even speech technologies in languages like Sesotho, isiZulu, and Kiswahili.

Of course, there are challenges. Globalisation still tends to privilege dominant languages, and there is a risk that African languages will be pushed further to the margins. But at the same time, technology can be a great equaliser if we invest in it properly.

For me, the future lies in ensuring that African languages are part of these digital and global spaces, not just preserved as heritage, but used in schools, media, apps and AI tools. That way, they remain living, evolving languages that carry culture and identity into the future.

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