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Example 3Title of projectAtlas of language communication in South Africa.Statement of problemTen major languages are currently spoken in South Africa. The extent of theusage of these languages (in other words: the extent to which they are spoken,read, written and understood) has not yet been determined on a regional basis.For the sake of communication campaigns, and the provision of services inwhich language plays a role, particularly in urban areas, it is important toobtain comprehensive knowledge concerning the complete language situationwithin each region.Considerable levels of population migration during the past two decades, andan increasing interest in regional development, has increased the need foraccurate information concerning the language situation within each region inSouth Africa.Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.zaAims(i) To compile maps of the major languages of the total population based onthe census and other statistics for I960, 1970 and 1980.(ii) To study language movements of the past two decades and to analyze theimplications of these movements.Nature of the researchA researcher of the Institute for Languages and the Arts of the HSRC willanalyze the results of various census surveys in conjunction with otherinstitutes of the HSRC. The related statistics such as those concerningreadership and the utilization of the mass media, will also by analyzed. Aresearch assistant will compile language distribution maps with the assistanceof cartographers who are not attached to the HSRC. The sociolinguists of theHSRC, in collaboration with other experts, will subsequently makerecommendations for future language planning.Advantages(i) An atlas of language communication in multi-lingual South Africa willbecome available for the first time.(ii) Accurate information concerning the language profile of each region willbecome available to regional planners and those who provide relatedservices.186