Language as barrier to communication among black African students at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus (Gauteng, South Africa).

Abstract: This paper explores the inadequacy in expressive language of undergraduate (diploma) students. It adopts a communication systems approach and data was collected through one-on-one and focus group interviews with 120 black African students at University of Johannesburg Soweto campus and analysed qualitatively. The findings revealed that if African student’s language does not fit the cultural norm of a group, society or nation, they easily “disown” or reject it and this obviously inhibits an individual’s potential which becomes a cause of dysfunctional interactions