The Bachelor of Arts in Languages at the University of Limpopo develops students' expertise in language structure, usage, and practice across the indigenous languages of the Limpopo region — Sepedi, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga — alongside English. Students study linguistics, language practice, applied language skills, and the sociolinguistics of South Africa's multilingual society, gaining competencies in translation, language editing, and language facilitation. South Africa's Use of Official Languages Act and its constitutional commitment to all eleven official languages create significant demand for language professionals who can work competently in indigenous African languages.
English Home Language or English First Additional Language: 50%
African Language (Sepedi, Tshivenda, or Xitsonga): 60%
APS: 25
Language Practitioner – Provides language editing, translation, and terminology development services for government departments, Parliament, and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), working in one or more of South Africa’s official languages.
Translator – Produces accurate written translations of government documents, legal texts, educational materials, and business content between official languages, supporting language access rights across South Africa.
Interpreter – Provides spoken interpretation in courts, parliamentary committees, community meetings, and healthcare settings, facilitating communication across South Africa’s eleven official languages.
Language Teacher (School or University) – Teaches Sepedi, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, or English at secondary schools or universities, contributing to mother-tongue education and language preservation.
Lexicographer – Develops and maintains dictionaries, terminology lists, and language databases for indigenous South African languages at institutions like the African Language Research Institute and national language bodies.
