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Our language history
According to Baile, it’s very interesting that the Language Act (Act 59 of 1995) came into effect before the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996). The former Act established the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB).
“This means politicians and those in government were very, very serious about matters of language.”
Officially launched in 2001 at the former University of North West, the Setswana National Lexicography Unit is one of eleven PanSALB structures that represent our official languages.
“Parents should encourage their children to be bilingual. If the school is English-medium, children must speak their mother tongue at home.”
- Baile Mareme
Baile is editor-in-chief and executive director of the Sefala Dictionary Unit. The unit, officially known as the Setswana National Lexicography Unit, is situated in the Faculty of Humanities on the campus in Mahikeng.
Baile’s journey with the NWU goes back a long time. Joining the former University of Bophuthatswana in 1987 he became the Sefala unit’s editor-in-chief in 2003.
Sharing his expertise
His core responsibilities are the compilation of dictionaries. Students from the NWU’s Setswana subject group rely heavily on Baile’s expertise and passion for the language to navigate their studies.
Listeners can tune in once a week to popular SABC Setswana radio station, Motsweding FM, to tap into Baile’s Sekgutlwana sa Thuta-Puo programme. It focuses on proper use and terminology of the Setswana language and is hosted by NWU communication graduate and presenter, Amon Mokoena.
Future projects
The Sefala Dictionary Unit is proposing a project to produce a trilingual Setswana, English and isiZulu dictionary. This is in response to demand from users such as isiZulu-speakers living in North West, a province of mainly Setswana speakers.
“I would fight for my language, but would not hate somebody else’s language. I see tolerance among our people as the most important aspect of being together.”
- Baile Mareme
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is never at a loss for words
LANGUAGE LOVER
The United Nations has declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Closer to home, Baile Mareme and his colleagues are hard at work developing and promoting our languages, particularly Setswana.
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Baile is a published author and respected academic in language circles. Since taking the helm at the Sefala Dictionary Unit in 2003, he has overseen the production of four different Setswana dictionaries.
Baile credits Terrence Ball, a publisher at the SA National Lexicography Unit, who funded their publications. “We neede money to publish our work, and he came to our rescue. Without him we could not have achieved our goals.”
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It is not only words and language that fascinate Baile. As a keen biker he also finds the roaring of an engine and lure of the open road enchanting.
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