Perceptions of Students towards Black South African English in a Science and Science University Community

Abstract

In this paper we reflect on Black South African English (BSAE) as a recognised variety in the new Englishes paradigm. The aim of the paper is to report on Science and Mathematics students’ perceptions and towards BSAE. A qualitative-quantitative mix approach was elected to elicit responses from a group of 23 Science and Mathematics students. Respondents were required to complete a perceptions questionnaire as well a feature recognition test. The results of a combination of statistical (frequencies) and thematic analysis show that learners recognise and prefer BSAE. Therefore, considering the fact that the results of this study indicate (1) positive perceptions (2) general preference of BSAE in the learning of Science and Mathematics, our article concludes with a decisive concurrence with evolving recommendations of the institutionalisation of BSAE as an indigenised variety of English.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p1479