Standaardafrikaans : herstandaardisering via harmonisering in die Afrikaanse media

M.A. (Afrikaans)Guided by contemporary Afrikaans media, with specific reference to print 'media and television, this study aims to look at certain possible changes to one of the varieties of Afrikaans, known as Standard Afrikaans. Furthermore, it takes a historic and future glance at respectively the origin as well as possible restandardisation of this variety. While language manuals are consulted in the first instance, recent internet and newspaper articles reflect the current attitude of various coloured academics, journalists and writers toward a possible new standard that includes those varieties of Afrikaans that used to be stigmatized. Willemse (2011) suggests that a purposeful process of inclusion and expansion of Standard Afrikaans is necessary for the sake of the legitimisation by the greater majority of Afrikaans speakers. This study makes various suggestions to enrich this variety, without necessarily changing its level of formality. While the dissertation does not over-emphasise the sociopolitical influences on Standard Afrikaans, it does become obvious that politics and skin colour played a significant role in the establishment of written Afrikaans - especially Standard Afrikaans. In the past, the voice of coloured Afrikaans speakers was mostly absent in the standardisation process. Today, however, there are talks of closer cooperation between all of the relevant parties in the possible restandardisation process of Afrikaans. One of the most prominent role players in the standardisation, with specific reference to the possible future restandardisation of Afrikaans, is the media. This study, in other words, wants to look at the role contemporary Afrikaans can play in the restandardisation of Afrikaans by harmonizing different varieties