SAALT Newsletter: September Edition

Our Languages, Our Heritage: Literacy, Identity, and Inclusion

In this newsletter, we explore the significance of African languages, literacy initiatives, and cultural heritage in our country and invite everyone to renew their membership and motivate others to join as new members. As we celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, we honour South Africa’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. This month, we also recognise the importance of literacy and language in shaping our identities and communities. In this newsletter, we are pleased to announce once again our new SAALT executive members. We will also raise awareness of Sign Language on 23 September; it’s International Day of Sign Language, and on the 30th of September we celebrate International Translation Day.

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Celebrating Heritage and Language

September is a significant month for reflecting on the place of language in our lives and in education.

In South Africa, we celebrate Heritage Day, while internationally we commemorate International Literacy Day and the International Day of Sign Languages. Although each occasion has its own focus, together they invite us to consider a fundamental question: Are we creating educational and social spaces in which every person can learn, communicate, express their culture and identity, and participate meaningfully through language?

Heritage Day reminds us that our languages are an important part of our heritage. Language carries our histories, values, knowledge systems, stories and ways of understanding the world. To preserve a language is therefore to preserve more than words; it is to preserve the knowledge and cultural memory of the people who speak it.

In a multilingual country such as South Africa, celebrating heritage should include celebrating the rich linguistic diversity that characterises our society, the linguistic diversity that prevails in our educational spaces. Our African languages should not be valued only as symbols of cultural heritage, but also as languages of teaching and learning, scholarship, literacy, innovation and everyday communication.

While International Literacy Day draws attention to the transformative power of literacy, we are reminded that Literacy enables people to access knowledge, participate in education, navigate society and engage critically with the world around them. However, meaningful literacy development cannot be separated from language.

Learners are more likely to develop deep understanding when teaching builds on languages and linguistic resources that are familiar to them. We therefore need to continue strengthening literacy instruction across our schools and institutions while recognising and harnessing multilingualism as a resource rather than treating it as a barrier to learning.

The official 2026 theme is Literacy for people, planet and prosperity.

The International Day of Sign Languages further expands our understanding of linguistic diversity and inclusion. Sign languages are complete, natural languages and are fundamental to the identity, education and participation of Deaf communities.

Recognising sign languages reminds us that language is expressed and experienced in diverse ways. An inclusive language agenda must therefore make space for both spoken and signed languages and ensure that linguistic rights are reflected in educational practice and social participation.

The official 2026 theme is Declaring Deaf people`s human rights.

As SAALT, we have an important role to play in bringing these conversations together. Language teaching is not simply about teaching vocabulary, grammar or communication skills; it is also about affirming identity, enabling participation, developing literacy and creating opportunities for learners to access knowledge.

Language teachers are therefore central to building more equitable and inclusive educational spaces. As we celebrate our heritage and commemorate these international days, let us move beyond celebration towards meaningful action.

Let us promote the teaching and learning of all our languages, strengthen literacy through linguistically responsive pedagogies, support the development and recognition of sign languages, and create educational environments in which linguistic diversity is seen as an asset.

Our languages are our heritage. Literacy is a pathway to participation. Linguistic inclusion is a foundation for educational equity. Together, they can help us shape an education system in which every learner’s language, identity and voice matter.

Celebrating our new EXCO member Dr Dolly Dlavane….

Who is Dolly?

Dr Dolly Dlavane is an academic, researcher, and language-in-education expert with a strong commitment to advancing language teaching, multilingual education, and the promotion of African languages. Her professional expertise encompasses Setswana education, literacy and reading instruction, teacher education, Setswana curriculum development, language planning and policy, and mother-tongue-based bilingual education (MTbBE).

Through her academic and professional work, she seeks to bridge the gap between language policy, research and classroom practice, particularly in the effective teaching of Setswana and the development and accessibility of Setswana educational resources.

As a language activist and academic, Dr Dolly is a member of the South African Association of Language Teaching (SAALT) and the African Languages Association of South Africa (ALASA). She is also a former member of the Literacy Association of South Africa (LITASA).

Dr Dolly is also one of two developers of a short learning programme on multilingual pedagogies, which has attracted academics from several higher education institutions.

Her research includes the development of Setswana short stories for Foundation and Intermediate Phase learners, with the intention of making these materials available as open educational resources (OER) and improving equitable access to quality literacy resources.

A further dimension of her scholarship is her commitment to Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR), reflecting her emphasis on collaborative, participatory and transformative research.

Dr Dolly views SAALT as an important professional platform that brings together language students, educators, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders committed to advancing language teaching in South Africa.

She believes that the Association has an important role to play in promoting excellence in language teaching, strengthening professional networks, supporting research-informed practice, advocating for multilingualism and contributing to national conversations on language education.

As Secretary of SAALT, Dr Dolly would bring extensive experience in academic and organisational leadership, a strong commitment to language education, and the ability to coordinate people, programmes and professional activities.

She is committed to ensuring that SAALT remains responsive to the changing needs of language educators and the broader language-education landscape in South Africa.

Dr Dolly Dlavane is committed to serving SAALT with professionalism, integrity, collegiality and diligence, and to contributing to the Association’s continued growth and impact in language teaching and education in South Africa.

Dr Dolly Dlavane was born on the 24th of September, when we celebrate Heritage Day.

Membership Fees for 2026/2027

Becoming a SAALT member offers valuable opportunities for professional growth, networking, and collaboration within the language teaching community. Members gain access to an online profile and a directory of expertise, where they can connect with colleagues who have indicated their willingness to serve as journal article reviewers, external examiners, moderators, and more. This creates a dynamic platform for building partnerships and sharing knowledge. In addition, members enjoy exclusive benefits, including a 20% discount on page fees when publishing in the Journal for Language Teaching (JLT). By joining SAALT, you become part of a vibrant network dedicated to advancing language education and research across South Africa and beyond.

Important notice: Membership runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

We would like to remind everyone to renew their SAALT Membership for 2025/2026. More information is available on our website at https://saalt.org.za/become-a-member/. From this page, you will be able to navigate to our membership levels. The following options are available:

After you have made your selection on the following page https://saalt.org.za/membership-levels/ you can choose one of two options.

Option 1:
Subscribe and pay via our secure online payment portal, Payfast. The subscribe and pay option allows you to access your online profile immediately.
Option 2:
Request an invoice and pay via EFT or submit your invoice to your institution. If you choose this option, please remember to submit your proof of payment to the upload link that is sent to you via email after you have subscribed. As soon as your payment has been verified (please allow 2 weeks for this process), you will be able to access your online profile.

Call for Chapters

New Trends in Sociocultural Linguistics: Perspectives from South Africa

Editors: Malephole Sefotho, Collen Sabao & Mohammad Hossein Keshavarz

Sociocultural Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that examines language in its social and cultural contexts, i.e., how society and culture shape our linguistic and social behavior. It aims to integrate insights from linguistic anthropology, discourse analysis, sociology of language, and other disciplines. It explores how language is used to construct social identity, negotiate power dynamics, and express cultural meaning. This handbook provides an outstanding platform for sharing innovative research findings on various sociocultural linguistic issues in diverse contexts and cultures. Topics of interest include, but are not restricted to, the following:

Language as Social Action: How language shapes and reflects social realities
Indexicality & Meaning: How words and expressions signal social identity and contextual meaning
Linguistic Marginalization: How certain speech styles are stigmatized or privileged in society.
Discursive Framing in the Media: How news and social media shape public perception through linguistic choices
Multimodal Discourse: How gestures, images, and technology contribute to meaning-making
Language Ideologies: Dominant beliefs about language and how they impact speakers
Memes & Sociocultural Meaning: How memes function as cultural artifacts in online discourse – how they shape discourse, humor, and cultural belonging
AI & Sociocultural Linguistics: How AI-generated texts reflect biases, ideologies, and human-like interaction
Humor & Social Identity: How humor constructs ingroup and outgroup dynamics
Digital Identity & Linguistic Practices: How people construct identities through social media language
Sociocultural Linguistics in Education: How classroom discourse shapes learning and identity
Language & Virtual Communities: How linguistic norms are used in gaming, fandoms, and online subcultures
Gender & Linguistic Practices: Gendered forms of communication and their role in societal power dynamics
Race, Ethnicity & Language: How language practices intersect with race, ethnicity, and cultural identity
Language & Identity: How do individuals construct social identities through speech, writing, and interaction
Globalization & Language Change: How global influences shape and reshape local languages and dialects
Social Media Linguistics: How hashtags, emojis, and internet slang shape modern communication
New Media & Language Evolution: The impact of TikTok, YouTube, or podcasts on linguistic practices
Global Market: How is language utilized as an economic resource in global markets
Linguistic Citizenship: How individuals claim rights through language use and policy

We welcome contributions from researchers in the field to submit original chapters on any of the above topics. The length of the book chapters can range from 7000 to 11,000 words, depending on the topic. First, please select a topic from the list above —or a closely related one— and submit a short proposal, along with your affiliation and a brief biodata (maximum 60 words), by 30 July 2026 to newtrendsinscling@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting full-length, fairly polished chapters for inclusion in the volume is 30 October 2026. Please be informed that the handbook will be published by an international publishing company.

We thank you in advance for your kind participation in this project and look forward to receiving your proposals soon.

Regards,

Malephole Sefotho
e-mail: Malephole.sefotho@nwu.ac.za

Collen Sabao
e-mail: csabao@unam.na

Mohammad Hossein Keshavarz
e-mail: m.h.keshavarz2026@gmail.com

Editors’ Profiles:

MALEPHOLE SEFOTHO is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the English Department in the School of Languages, Faculty of Humanities, at North-West University, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language & Linguistics and Literature in English, as well as a Master of Arts in English Language and Linguistics from the National University of Lesotho. She obtained her PhD in Applied Language Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Her research interests are situated within the fields of Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, Reading comprehension, and Grammatical aspects. Her research critically engages with contemporary debates on multilingualism and linguistic diversity, foregrounding concepts such as languaging, translingualism, and Ubuntu translanguaging within the Global South context. She has published in both national and international peer-reviewed journals on topics including language policy, multilingual pedagogies/approaches, grammatical analysis and the integration of artificial intelligence in multilingual higher education contexts. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to epistemic and linguistic justice, advocating for the recognition and pedagogical utilisation of diverse linguistic repertoires while interrogating and challenging monoglossic colonial linguistic ideologies.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9170-5027

COLLEN SABAO is a Professor of Linguistics, Literature and Communication in the Department of Humanities and Arts at the University of Namibia, and a Research Associate in the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Prof. Sabao’s research interests lie in the areas of Phonetics and Phonology, Political Discourse, Media Discourse, Pan Africanism, Afrocentricity, Appraisal Theory, Argumentation, World Literatures and Rhetoric. He has published extensively in these areas, with articles and chapters in internationally refereed publications. His latest publications include Language Matters in Contemporary Zimbabwe (Routledge, 2024), African Englishes: Contemporary Trends and Sociolinguistic Shifts (Routledge, 2025), and Zimbabwean Women Writers: Writing the Nation (Routledge, 2026). He holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in English and Communication and a Master of Philosophy in Theoretical Linguistics from universities in Zimbabwe, a PhD in African Languages (Applied Linguistics) from Stellenbosch University (South Africa) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the International University of Management (Namibia). He is also an American Council of Learned Societies Fellow’14 and an African Humanities Fellow ‘14. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6247-3741

MOHAMMAD HOSSEIN KESHAVARZ is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of ELT Department at Girne American University in North Cyprus. He holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and TEFL from Ohio University, USA, and a PhD from the University of Wales, UK. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals, including Language in Society, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Pragmatics and Society, WORD, International Journal of Bilingualism, Educational Research, Contrastive Pragmatics, English for Academic Purposes, Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, Communication Disorders Quarterly, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, Reading in a Foreign Language, and TESOL Journal. He is also the author of more than twenty academic books in English. His recently published books include: Politeness and Impoliteness in Persian (Springer Nature, 2026), The Handbook of Persian Carpets: Cultural and Semiotic Perspectives (Springer Nature, 2025), Contrastive Analysis, Error Analysis, and Interlanguage Hypothesis (6th Edition) (Rahnama Press, 2023), A New Analytical Model of Cultural Linguistics (Cambridge Scholars, 2023), and a Two-Volume Bilingual Dictionary (Rahnama Press, 2023). His research interests span First and Second Language Acquisition, Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Cultural Linguistics, Semiotics, and Contrastive Linguistics.

Special Interest Groups

To join the SAALT SIG Community you can scan the QR code below, or click on the WhatsApp link for the specific SIG you are interested in.

Academic Writing

During our conference last year, we discussed opportunities for the coming year. We shared ideas on how we can collaborate and promote best practices among members who are interested in academic writing. One of the initiatives we would like to launch is to build an online bibliography of publications on academic writing. If there are members who are willing to participate and would like to share their research with us, please send an email to info@saalt.org.za.

You are also welcome to join the Academic Writing WhatsApp Group simply by clicking here.

Assessment and Testing

The past few months have been quite exciting for our Assessment and Testing SIG. We have successfully delivered three webinars as part of the series Assess smart with Albert. We would like to thank Prof. Albert Weideman for availing himself for these webinars. These webinars are available on our website at https://saalt.org.za/webinars/ This SIG also forms part of the Network of Expertise for Language Assessment (NExLA). For more information visit: https://nexla.org.za/

You are also welcome to join the SAALT Assessment and Testing WhatsApp Group simply by clicking here.

African Languages: Teaching the African Way

The Special Interest Group (SIG) on African Languages: Teaching the African Way is dedicated to advancing the teaching and learning of African languages in ways that affirm their cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical richness. The SIG provides a collaborative platform for educators, researchers, and practitioners to share innovative methodologies, grounded in African worldviews, that respond to the realities of multilingual classrooms. By promoting African languages as both subjects and mediums of instruction, the group seeks to strengthen literacy, preserve cultural heritage, and contribute to educational transformation in South Africa.

We are therefore inviting you to join this group to advance our African language education.

To join our WhatsApp group click here

Addressing Diverse Multilingual Classroom Realities

Through our Special Interest Group (SIG) on Addressing Diverse Multilingual Classroom Realities, we aim to create a community of practice among the lecturers, teachers, departmental officials and members of NGOs who celebrate our language diversity in South Africa and who view language as a resource and a responsibility. We would like to collaborate on projects to celebrate the wealth of our language repertoires and find innovative ways in which to develop and support all the languages in South Africa and to share research and best practices on how languages can be harnessed to promote learning

To join our WhatsApp group click here

Advancements in Technology: Language Teaching and Assessment

The Advancements in Technology: Language Teaching and Assessment Special Interest Group (SIG) is one of the exciting SAALT SIGs through which we aim to foster a forward-thinking community of practice—one that embraces innovation, critical dialogue, and collaborative exploration of digital tools in language education. Educators, researchers, and practitioners are welcome to join our WhatsApp community (click here), where updates, announcements, and entry points into our broader shared resource and collaboration space will be shared.