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News and Events


 

  • Prof Theo du Plessis delivered one of the keynote addresses at the 9th International Language Management Symposium that took place 3-4 September 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. His paper was titled 'Top-down or bottom-up? A critical perspective on the transformation of terminology and terminography in South Africa'.
  • On 31 August 2026, Prof Theo du Plessis' book "Van tegniek tot amptelike taal:  Die opkoms van Suid-Afrikaanse Gebaretaal as 'n 12de amptelike taal van Suid-Afrika, 1977-2023" [From technique to official language: "The rise of South African Sign Language as a 12th official language of South Africa, 1977-2023] was launched at the South African Academy for Science and Arts. The event included an in-depth discussion between the author and Prof. Lawrie Barnes about the research underlying the publication. Although the book is written in Afrikaans, it is also available in XML format to facilitate automated translations. Download the book for free at: https://ujonlinepress.uj.ac.za/index.php/ujp/catalog/book/369

 

  • Our department is celebrating Deaf Awareness Month with an exciting programme! Follow our social media channels for all of our events and outreaches.

 

 

  • Grade 9 Career Fair Mrs Susan Lombaard signs with learners attending the event, which took place 13–14 August 2026 in the Callie Human Centre. Attendees were informed about South African Sign Language, Deaf culture, and educational options offered by our department.


 

 

 

 

 


 

Article By Tawanda Matende, Victor Mugari, Crous Hlungwane and Jani de Lange - read it here: https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6697/21093


 

Article By Patrick Sibanda - read it here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00748-4

  • Meet our new staff members!

Nthabiseng Mofokeng (in front) is our new Language Facilitator. In the back, from left to right, are our Deaf Departmental Student Assistants: Phuthego Mashilo, Sisipho Danisa, Thandolwethu Thwala, Amahle Jemane, Puleng Mhlambi and Khumbulani Nyandeni. They will assist with conversational classes and other departmental duties. Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-the-free-state-department-of-sasl-and-ds-92096537a_southafricansignlanguage-sasl-deafeducation-share-7448338953495048193-eFNA.

 

 

     

     

    • Our SASL Linguistics Research bibliography is now available for download:
    1. Install Zotero
    2. Download the file from our Figsharecollection
    3. Double-click the downloaded file and it should open in Zotero

     

     

     

     

    Book New monograph by Johan C Moll on the history of the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment at the University of the Free State (now incorporated with the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies). The unit played a prominent role in providing the interpreting services at the hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It also established interpreting, translation and South African Sign Language as academic disciplines at this university.

    Open Access! Download here: https://doi.org/10.64449/9781997468837

     

    Book New monograph by Theodorus du Plessis on the emergence of South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language.

    Open Access! Download here: https://doi.org/10.64449/9781997468875

     

     

     


    Proceedings Edited by Chrismi-Rinda Loth.

    Open Access! Download here: https://ujonlinepress.uj.ac.za/index.php/ujp/catalog/book/436

    • PETER JORDAN
      Problems of commemorative naming in urban areas
    • MABOLEBA KOLOBE, NTSOAKI TERESA MOKALA, NTHATI MOSEBI
      Street names and street naming in Maseru: Navigating the linguistic landscape
    • ERNESTINA MALESHOANE RAPEANE-MATHONSI
      The linguistic landscape of naming practices in a Southern African city: A critical toponymic analysis
    • MATJAŽ GERŠIČ, MOJCA KUMIN HORVAT, PRIMOŽ PIPAN
      Slovenian microtoponyms in the bilingual area in Hungary
    • JANI DE LANGE, ANELE KOTOYI, MAMOTETE MAPESHOANE, THEODORUS DU PLESSIS
      Official language, official names? A case study of SASL place names

     

     


    FACULTY CONTACT

    T: +27 51 401 2240 or humanities@ufs.ac.za

    Postgraduate:
    Marizanne Cloete: +27 51 401 2592

    Undergraduate:
    Katlego Mabulana: +27 51 401 2495
    Juanita Hlongwane: +27 51 401 3269

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