Language Services

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is committed to ensuring equal treatment for Afrikaans, English and Xhosa, and to promoting previously marginalised languages and South African Sign Language. These activities will contribute to us being better together in the Western Cape.

The Language Service component strives to give effect to the Western Cape Language Policy through the activities of the Translation and Interpreting Unit and the Language Policy Implementation Unit. This policy ensures equal treatment of the three official languages of the Western Cape - Afrikaans, English and Xhosa.

This component tries to ensure that residents of the Western Cape have access to services in the official language of their choice. It also promotes previously marginalised languages and South African Sign Language through awareness programmes and activities to promote their development.

The Language Service is also responsible for the management and execution of the administrative duties of a public entity the Western Cape Language Committee and the provision of language support services to Western Cape Government departments.

The Translation and Interpreting Unit
This unit provides language support services to Western Cape Government departments. These services include translation, editing, proofreading, interpreting and terminology development. The Translation and Interpreting Unit also maintains a database of experienced freelance editors, translators and interpreters. It is also involved in Xhosa terminology projects.

The Language Policy Implementation Unit
The Department renders administrative and financial assistance to the Western Cape Language Committee in terms of the Western Cape Provincial Languages Act, 1998 (Act 13 of 1998). The Department does this by supporting good governance and making it possible for funds to be transferred to the Committee to perform its functions. The Committee plays a key role in advising the Minister on language matters and monitoring the implementation of the provincial Language Policy.