Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice will empower the contemporary South African community with professionals equipped with the requisite educational background and practical expertise to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and political growth of the country. Qualifying learners are expected to display advanced skills that would prepare them to contribute to an intellectual advancement related to an understanding of how language contributes to the cultural and professional characteristics of society. They will, furthermore, have advanced knowledge of a range of methods of enquiry in the field, discipline or practise, and understand their suitability to specific areas of investigation cognizant of the need fully to understand South Africa's (and beyond) multilingual contexts and diverse cultural milieu to contribute towards social cohesion and nation-building.

The qualification will offer various pathways that involve a specialisation in English and either of Afrikaans, IsiZulu, Northern Sotho, Setswana, Tshivenda or Xitsonga. Learners who choose any of the foregoing languages for further study will focus on a comprehensive study of the following: Language Translation and Editing Studies, Psycholinguistics, Stylistics, Corpus Linguistics, World Literatures, Research Methodology for Languages, Terminology and Lexicography and Learning Styles all of which are important components and essential tools in the area of Language Practice in particular. The role of language translation, document design, copywriting, text editing, terminology, lexicography, language management and language acquisition has become central to language development and promotion. These focus areas of language study seek to focus learners on an advanced study of these various aspects of language practice, especially within the context of the development, advancement and promotion of previously marginalised South African languages in domains such as courts, banks, government and private sector institutions. The focus areas further open up new vistas for learners to actively engage with tools and theories essential for a functional application in a quest to develop and promote previously marginalised languages, within the South African context.

Rationale

Given the considerable and evolving multilingual and multicultural South African context and the need to significantly advance an understanding and appreciation of how language development, language knowledge and its impacts on all spheres of society; specialised human and intellectual resources must be developed to cope with an ever-changing social and scholarly landscape.

The focus of this study is on the application of linguistic knowledge to the study of style and communication. It prepares learners to be more precise and analytical in thinking about understanding and interpretation.

The qualification will source its learners from the Advanced Diploma in Language Practice or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification as determined by the institutions of higher learning that offer similar qualifications at the same NQF Level. The qualification is expected to cater for learners who will be looking for specialisation in a specific area in the field of Language, Linguistics and Literature and, in particular, Language Practice. The qualification will prepare learners to apply skills and knowledge they may have gained in their different realities within the labour market while the introduction of research skills will empower candidates with analytical skills needed at any work environment but also serves as a foundational phase for postgraduate studies at a Masters' level and beyond.

Typically, a learner of this qualification should benefit society by providing professional services such as translating, proofreading and editing of documents. Also, the qualification offers specialised training needed for the training of language practitioners in a multilingual and culturally diverse environment. In its inaugural meeting in 2013, the Department of Applied Language's Academic Advisory Committee, comprising various stakeholders in the Language Practice industry, supported the development of such qualifications by providing support, guidance and an 'industry' perspective cognisant of the South African Language Practitioners' Council Act (No. 8 of 2014) which was still a Bill at that stage.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution provides for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), to prevent the repetition of offerings already obtained which correspond with the current offering being pursued. RPL recognition requires the learner to furnish evidence of exceptional experience, depth and scope that is in line with the outcomes of the relevant subject or qualification for which recognition is sort. Various assessment methods, such as the portfolio of evidence interviews or written assessments will be used to determine whether the learner has achieved the learning outcomes associated with the qualification. Learners may apply at the Office of the Registrar for RPL or admission via the Senate's discretionary route. The specific relevant documentation will be requested from these learners, and these cases will be handled on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma in a language, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 108 Credits

• English V, 24 Credits.
• African Language V (One of the following languages: Afrikaans, IsiZulu, Northern Sotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga), 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology for Languages II, 12 Credits.
• Language Translation and Editing Studies II, 24 Credits.
• Psycholinguistics, 12 Credits.
• Terminology and Lexicography, 12 Credits.

Electives Modules, Level 8, 12 Credits (Select two modules)

• Corpus linguistics, 6 Credits.
• Learning styles, 6 Credits.
• World Literatures in English, 6 Credits.
• Stylistics, 6 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced detailed knowledge of various aspects related to linguistics and language in general.
2. Evaluate, select and apply appropriate methods, procedures or techniques by using advanced knowledge of Language theory within the Language related environment.
3. Critically identify, analyse, solve and critically reflect on complex language-related problems, gathering data using language related theory and practice, methods and techniques and determine findings and make recommendations based on evidence gathered by following procedures appropriate to a language-related field.
4. Demonstrate, understand and interpret the ethical and legislative implications and apply decisions and actions affecting the Language Practice profession, by using knowledge obtained from different acts inferred in Jurisprudence.
5. Analytically evaluate and interpret different sources of information in the field of Language Practice and ethically select information appropriate to the task, by applying or originating well-developed language-related ethical practices such as those outlined in the various forms of equivalence.
6. Present and communicate appropriate academic and professional information using appropriate technologies for the presentation of language-related conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge and appreciation of African literature, among others, as well as some of the major trends related to literary theory and criticism by engaging with various texts.
• Display knowledge related to status and corpus planning through an explanation of the various skills associated with terminological compilation and standardisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply and transfer techniques, processes, systems or technologies in an original, creative and an innovative way appropriate to specialised and complex context within the language-related field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems within a language-related field.
• Demonstrate competence in all applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply professional conduct, behaviour and attitudes in all academic settings.
• Demonstrate the link between language-related practices such as translation with ideology and manipulation of the image of the source culture in an ethically and professionally sound manner through engagement with relevant texts.
• Study and investigate the ethical consequences of dealing with a language-related endeavour through the exploration of a variety of texts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Evaluate types of knowledge relevant to the field of Language Practice.
• Develop and apply appropriate processes of gathering information.
• Validate the sources of information independently.
• Develop and communicate their ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use appropriate visual and language skills in all oral and/or written communication.
• Communicate complex problem solving reliably and coherently using appropriate academic and professional conventions, as well as recognised techniques associated with the exploration and evaluation of linguistic processes.
• Display team communication and interpersonal skills in working and communication in a multidisciplinary team.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment is coherently designed as an integral part of the learning process to ensure full alignment with academic qualifications in terms of the purpose and learning content of the qualification and its modules, learning outcomes, assessment criteria, assessment opportunities and strategies.

Integrated assessment will be put into practice by doing the following

• Assessing several outcomes together;
• Assessing some assessment criteria together;
• Using a combination of assessment methods and instruments for an outcome/outcomes;
• Collecting naturally occurring evidence;

And

• Acquiring evidence from other sources such as portfolios, logbooks, journals etc.

Formative and Summative Assessments

Any, or a combination of, seminars; workshops; projects and portfolios of evidence and continuous assessment through oral presentations and practical work (translation, editing and interpreting) as well as written examinations.

In this qualification, there are, but not limited to, four formative assessment opportunities (1 presentation, 1 written test, and 2 assignments), which are subjected to plagiarism detection system software as well as an examination in each module. To be able to write the final examination, a 40% minimum score of all formative and summative assessments is required. For the final module mark, the predicate mark will be added to the examination mark, and the total would be divided by two to get the final mark. A learner who fails the main examination, but obtains a final mark of at least 45%, will qualify for a supplementary examination. Further, in this qualification, there is no Work Integrated Learning (WIL). However, the learners are exposed to the simulated work-related tasks in some of their assignments that seek to compensate for the absence of WIL. Also, some subject moderators are appointed to oversee and ensure that the assessments conducted in this qualification are valid, reliable, authentic, feasible and practical.