Abstract
2.2 LITERATURE PART A
2.2.4 LITERATURE ON LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
available in African languages (please note that such examples will be found at the end of the research).
Similarly, in the case of development projects, as well as other relevant development projects tendered by the government, must be available in local languages. Such projects typically involve communication between unequal parties (socially, economically and educationally powerful ones versus socially, economically and educationally powerless ones) a situation intensified by the inherited context of highly stratified and unequal social and economic structures of our communities Melkote and Kandath (1996)
Generally, we value products and services in terms of the amount of work (energy) and information they contain, the more work, the higher the price.
Businesses are to put more information into their products possibly written in African languages. And they need to put more information available into their employees language of choice.
Big and small organizations, private companies, even government for that matter should bear in mind that languages play a vital role at different levels at workplace. As far as the workplace is concerned, Axley (1996: 4) mentions that there are areas where languages play a crucial role,
The production process.
Between workers and supervisors.
In labour negotiations.
In training.
In safety, security, protection in the working environment.
Terms and conditions of services.
Benefits, remuneration and incentives.
Personal development, job satisfaction and promotion opportunities.
Efficiency and productivity.
Axley, (1996) further comments that requirements for good communication are universally valid. Good communication implies that messages are interpreted in the way that they are intended. For example, organisations go to a great deal of trouble and spend large sums in order to formulate advertisements in such a way that defined target groups are reached in an optimal fashion. Good communication with employees is just as critical for an organisation as an effective, target-oriented marketing campaign is for the sales of products, services or ideas.
The more critical the message (for example, in terms of safety, productivity, maintenance, motivation) the more important it is that the meaning and interpretation should be conveyed precisely in accordance with the intention. In this process of exchange of meanings, language plays an important role in all the functions of communication. Therefore, the more people learn a language, the more useful it becomes – and the more useful it is, moreover, the more people want to learn it.
TASK INFORMATION
Each organisation has a primary task - to offer a product or service to the consumer. In order to form part of this process the employees need to have different types of information at their disposal. Within this context, work instruction is probably the most important information required, but a further distinction can be made between other forms of information such as process information, commercial information and decision-making information. Thayer (1997: 67) believes that, “the main concern is not the actual information received, but the way in which this information is understood by its recipients”. In other words, the interpretation constitutes an important element of communication within the workplace as Smollan (1986: 90) explains,
Work instruction
By means of this process, the worker is informed as to what is expected of him/her (this information may be considered to be a job description).
Stated differently, work instruction provides the worker inter alia, with certainty as to what has to be done, how it has to be done and also when a task has to be undertaken and completed.
Process information
Workers are appointed on the assumption that they have the necessary knowledge and experience of the subject field to be able to execute a specific task (for which they are being appointed). The organization however, also needs to introduce the worker to the various tasks which will be expected of him/her in the production process. Aspects such as the required procedures and processes to be followed and the requirements with regard to quality and safety are usually unique to each organization.
Commercial information
In an era of participatory decision-making, as well as of new concepts such as information management, it is imperative that all employees are informed on commercial aspects such as product information, selling prices, marketing, price determination and quality requirement in order to ensure the meaningful involvement of all parties concerned in the mission of the organization.
Decision- making information
Employees are dependent on information in order to make decisions regarding their own roles within the organization as well as the tasks at hand. Information is also required for the identification of problems and correct interpretation. This may be regarded as decision–making information. Management requires the same information in order to take decisions. Feedback from employees on all levels is an important source of information for the management within an organization. It is for this reason that the flow of information from the bottom to the top structures should not be inhibited.
TRAINING
Although the training of employees forms an integral part of all of the above- mentioned functions it will be dealt with separately, since training may be regarded as the key to the empowerment of employees. It enables them to fulfil an optimal role within the organization, as explained by (Cenoz & Genesee, 1998). The challenge with which organizations are faced however, is to provide the most effective form of training. Mother tongue instruction is generally accepted as being the most effective medium of instruction and training (Majhanovich, 1992), as well as a manner of empowering members of language minorities explained in (Gowen, 1992). Providing instruction and training in the individual‟s home language also reduces the time required to complete the
training, and increases understanding of the subject being taught (LANGTAG Report, 1996: 105).
In business communication, language is generally formal. It is essential to understand the difference between formal and informal language. When the researcher talks of formal language it means the following,
Is grammatically correct?
Does it follow correct procedures when applied in different formats?
Is it courteous?
Is it used in situations where the recipient is not well known?
Is it used in business communication?
Whereas informal language,
Is more relaxed in style and vocabulary than formal language.
Is used in social or friendly situations.
Language therefore plays a vital role at the different levels of the workplace such as in the production cycle, between workers and supervisors, between workers and managers, in labour negotiations, in training, personal development, job descriptions and promotion opportunities etc.
Therefore, work is a very significant feature of human life, and so much work is takes place with the medium of language. (See Appendix for A Policy for Language Democracy in the Workplace).