The article discusses the efforts of linguists Shah and Brenzinger to document and promote the endangered language of siPhuthi in Lesotho. They have recorded over 40 hours of siPhuthi video, conducted workshops with local speakers, and are working on a dictionary and census of speakers.
SiPhuthi was previously considered an endangered language due to its limited use outside of the Daliwe valley, where it is spoken by around 2,500 people. However, in August 2022, siPhuthi was made an official language of Lesotho, alongside Xhosa and sign language.
The article highlights the importance of mother-tongue education, which research has shown improves learning outcomes. However, many children are still forced to learn in English and Sesotho, which can lead to struggles with language and poverty.
Community members have expressed support for siPhuthi becoming an official language, citing its cultural significance and the need for children to be taught in their mother tongue. A teacher at Daliwe primary school has also spoken out about his past practice of punishing children who spoke siPhuthi, saying he would no longer do so now that it is officially recognized.
The article suggests that the government needs to allocate resources and effort to implement siPhuthi's new legal status, including in schools. With siPhuthi becoming an official language, the community hopes to see improvements in education and economic opportunities for speakers of the language.
SiPhuthi was previously considered an endangered language due to its limited use outside of the Daliwe valley, where it is spoken by around 2,500 people. However, in August 2022, siPhuthi was made an official language of Lesotho, alongside Xhosa and sign language.
The article highlights the importance of mother-tongue education, which research has shown improves learning outcomes. However, many children are still forced to learn in English and Sesotho, which can lead to struggles with language and poverty.
Community members have expressed support for siPhuthi becoming an official language, citing its cultural significance and the need for children to be taught in their mother tongue. A teacher at Daliwe primary school has also spoken out about his past practice of punishing children who spoke siPhuthi, saying he would no longer do so now that it is officially recognized.
The article suggests that the government needs to allocate resources and effort to implement siPhuthi's new legal status, including in schools. With siPhuthi becoming an official language, the community hopes to see improvements in education and economic opportunities for speakers of the language.
i've been following this story and it's amazing to see shah and brenzinger's efforts paying off! siPhuthi finally getting some recognition is a huge deal for those who speak it and it's not just about the number of hours they recorded, it's about all the kids who can now feel proud of their language and culture 
i'm so glad that teacher at Daliwe primary school came out with his past actions and said he'd stop punishing kids for speaking siPhuthi. it's time for our governments to step up and allocate resources to schools so we can see some real change in education. 2000+ people speaking a language is not enough if they're not being taught their own way 
like what took them so long tho? anyway, it's great that linguists are stepping up to document the language, but let's be real, just recording 40 hours of video ain't gonna cut it 
. we need more concrete action from the government, like actual funding and resources for siPhuthi classes in schools 
. and can we talk about how messed up it was that teachers were punishing kids for speaking their own language? 
that's some serious cultural trauma right there. i'm glad to see the community pushing back against that nonsense now that siPhuthi is officially recognized 
. I mean, who needs a dictionary and census when you've got 2,500 people living their best lives in the Daliwe valley? But seriously, it's awesome to see linguists like Shah and Brenzinger taking on this project. Mother-tongue education is key, and it's crazy that some teachers were punishing kids for speaking siPhuthi 
. Now they just need the government to put their money where their mouth is 
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. It's crazy how a language can go from bein' endangered to an official one, right? But now that it is, I gotta wonder if the government's gonna follow through on their promise to support siPhuthi education in schools 
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. I hope they're gonna make sure kids who speak siPhuthi get the same opportunities as those who don't, 'cause language is life 
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. It's time to put words into actions and make sure this newfound recognition means somethin' for the community 
I think it's awesome that linguists Shah & Brenzinger are workin' hard to document siPhuthi 
! They're helpin' keep this cool langauge alive, which is defo important cuz languages r like our DNA, ya know? 
! That's lit! I'm hopin' kids there get 2 learn siPhuthi in school, cuz research shows it helps w/ learnin outcomes 
Let's celebrate our diversitee & help each other out! 
So I'm thinking... if we gotta teach kids their mom tongue then why is it still a struggle? 
Like siPhuthi's got its own history, culture, everything... and now it's an official lang, but are they really gonna use it in schools? 
I'd love to see some visual examples of what siPhuthi looks like written down or spoken out loud. Maybe some videos of kids using the language in school? 
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. Fingers crossed it happens soon 
but seriously, I think this is awesome! I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? From being endangered to official language, that's some serious momentum! And I gotta say, I'm all for mother-tongue education - my auntie's English was super basic till she learned Mandarin in school and now she's like a ninja 
! I mean, its awesome that linguists are working hard to document it and promote its use among locals 
. It makes total sense that mother-tongue education is key to learning outcomes - my yoga practice always emphasizes being connected with your roots in some way 
. Its a shame that many kids are still forced into English and Sesotho, which can lead to language struggles and poverty 
. Maybe we'll see more kids gettin the education they deserve in siPhuthi, and not just stuck learnin English or Sesotho. That would be a game changer for these people 
, i mean, its amazing that they've been able to record so much content (40 hrs is no joke!) 
. now that siPhuthi's an official lang, lets hope the gov allocates enough resources to make it stick & not just another pretty paper thing 
this means more recognition for the 2,500 people who speak it in Daliwe valley 
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and that's just not fair. They need to learn siPhuthi too! 
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