Missionary teachers and indigenous language preservation in Vhembe

Ndidzulafhi Mudau
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Ndidzulafhi Mudau: University of Venda

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 430-441

Abstract: This study investigates the contradictory role of missionary educators in the preservation of Tshivenda and other Indigenous languages in South Africa's Vhembe District from 1870 to 1950. Using a decolonial theoretical framework, the research employs archival document analysis, historical textual analysis, and examination of contemporary stakeholder perspectives to explore how missionary educators, operating within colonial systems for evangelical objectives, inadvertently established foundational resources for the preservation of Indigenous languages. The findings indicate that missionary educators functioned within a dual paradigm: advancing colonial linguistic dominance via assimilationist education while concurrently documenting, standardising, and safeguarding local languages through translation efforts, grammar formulation, and bilingual instructional methods. This preservation was inherently selective, emphasising religious material while sidelining traditional spiritual knowledge and dialectical diversity. The research illustrates that comprehending this intricate legacy is essential for modern language revitalisation efforts in post-apartheid South Africa, providing insights on leveraging historical linguistic foundations while mitigating their shortcomings through community-driven preservation initiatives that prioritise Indigenous cultural objectives. Key Words: Indigenous languages; Missionary educators; Decoloniality; Language preservation; Vhembe

Date: 2025
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