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Language Policy and Services

Language Policy and Services

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is committed to ensuring clear, accessible, and inclusive communication with all its stakeholders, including researchers, students, higher education institutions, research entities, partners, and members of the public. In compliance with the Use of Official Languages Act (Act No. 12 of 2012), the NRF promotes multilingualism and the equitable use of South Africa’s official languages in its communication and service delivery. In line with its language policy, the NRF has formally adopted the following official languages for institutional communication:

English
isiZulu
Sepedi

English serves as the NRF’s primary language for formal business communication, administration, record-keeping, and international engagement. South African Sign Language is also used when the need arises. For detailed information, stakeholders are encouraged to consult the NRF Use of Official Languages Policy available on the NRF website. For further information or assistance, please contact the NRF Corporate Communications or Language Services Unit through the official NRF contact channels

Language Policy and Services

The Language Services is constituted in terms section 7 of the Use of Official languages Act, no. 12 of 2012. Its purpose is to provide good language management within the NRF and ensure inclusivity and aims to create knowledge, promote science engagement, and align with government priorities, all while ensuring research excellence and impact for societal benefit through language services. The Language Services of the National Research Foundation focuses on the following:

  • Advising the organisation on the development, adoption, and implementation of the NRF Use of Official Languages Policy in fulfilment of the mandate provided by the Use of Official Languages Act (Act No. 12 of 2012);
  • Designing, implementing, and periodically reviewing the NRF’s Use of Official Languages policy and multilingual communication strategy;
  • Monitoring and assessing the use of official languages within the NRF to ensure compliance with legislative and policy requirements;
  • Monitoring and evaluating adherence to the Language Policy across NRF business units, divisions, and programmes;
  • Promoting parity of esteem and equitable treatment of South Africa’s official languages within the NRF, in alignment with constitutional principles;
  • Facilitating equitable access to NRF services, funding information, research calls, public engagement initiatives, and corporate communications through translation, editing, interpreting, and terminology development;
  • Providing or facilitating access to South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreting services for NRF staff, stakeholders, public engagement events, and research-related activities, in accordance with the South African Sign Language Act;
  • Coordinating the outsourcing of language-related services (e.g., translation, editing, and interpreting) in accordance with institutional procurement processes and stakeholder needs;
  • Compiling and submitting statutory reports to the Minister of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in terms of section 9 of the Use of Official Languages Act.
  • South African Language Practitioners' Council Act, 2014 (Act No. 8 of 2014) - Read here
  • The Use of Official Languages Act, 2012 (no 12 of 2012)- Read here

NRF Use of Official Languages Policy- Read here

  • NRF PAIA Manual -English - Read here
  • NRF PAIA Manual-Sepedi - Read here
  • NRF PAIA Manual-IsiZulu - Read here

NRF Service Request Procedure for Language Services- Read here

NRF Service Level Agreement for Language Services - Read here

NRF Service Level Commitment for Language Services - Read here

Translated documents - Read here

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