The International Language Testing Association (ILTA) now wants its Code of Ethics to be translated into Afrikaans. The Code consists of 9 fundamental principles, each elaborated on by a series of annotations. The Code also endeavours to reflect the ever changing balance of societal and cultural values across the world.

The ILTA request for translation into Afrikaans is good for multilingualism, good for Afrikaans, but above all, it bears testimony to the fact that the scholarly work of South African language testers is recognised far beyond its borders.

The Network of Expertise in Language Assessment (NExLA) has put a team together for the execution of this worthy endeavour. NExLA was recently established during the 2017 SAALT Conference. 

Further reading:

1. ILTA Code of Ethics to be translated into Afrikaans (on the NExLA website).
2. The ILTA Code of Ethics (on the ILTA website)​ ​

Our former president Mr. Nelson Mandela had a dream for sustainable transformation through the integration of all the diverse cultures in the bounds of South Africa. He attempted, with great success, to instill a culture of integration through his carnal politics. When I refer to carnal politics I liken it to Carnal Hermeneutics. Carnal Hermeneutics  is a notion, conceptualized by a philosopher Richard Kearney , which refers to a person’s ability and necessity to interpret the world through sensation: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Conversely, the sciences, philosophy included, has for the last couple of centuries over-emphasised the mind as the epistemological center of the universe. Currently, the science is becoming more aware of the carnal properties of embodied life and research. Awareness of embodied life has empowered researchers to better understand discriminatory factors in research and practice.

This is the second blog in our HOW TO .... series, compiled by the SAALT chairperson, Professor Rinelle Evans. 

With the recent announcement of the SAALT/SAALA/LSSA/ALASA/AFRILEX joint conference in June 2017, the SAALT chairperson, Professor Rinelle Evans, gives some useful tips on how to prepare an abstract for a conference or seminar presentation.  

During the recent 2016 LSSA/SAALA/SAALT Conference, the SAALT life time award for language teaching was bestowed on Professor Johan M. Lenake. In her tribute to him, Professor Susan Coetzee-Van Rooy gave a brief overview of Professor Lenake’s achievements. 
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Click 'Read More' lower down to see the full address.

Also read the NWU news item:

Taalveteraan word vereer vir ʼn leeftyd van onderrig

This year, the joint annual conference of LSSA, SAALA and SAALT took place at the University of the Western Cape and a total of 175 delegates registered. 

"We wish to congratulate the conference organizing committee under the guidance of Professor Charlyn Dyers (photo left), Department of Linguistics host department and Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR) on a well-organised and informative conference. Your hard work was greatly appreciated", says Prof. Rinelle Evans, newly elected  SAALT chairperson.