Unlocking Multilingualism on Radio in Lesotho
摘要
Sesotho language predominantly enjoys the three-tier radio broadcasting system in Lesotho. Although Lesotho made a giant step in adopting the (National Media Policy. 2021. Les. https://Lesotho.misa.org/2021/11/30/parliament-adopts-national-media-policy/ ), which advocates for the inclusion of SiPhuthi and isiXhosa in media, the inclusion remains on paper. This is because all the radio stations in the country; public, private and community radio stations continue to broadcast in Sesotho and English. This chapter calls for radio accommodation of other national languages, namely isiPhuthi, isiXhosa, isiZulu and isiNdebele considered as minority languages. Through in-depth interviews, the study shows that minority languages remain muted due to lack of legislation and lack of fluent media practitioners to facilitate minority language programmes. Using muted group theory, we argue that lack of constitutional recognition of minority languages mutes minority language speakers. The study advocates for the constitutional obligations to unlock multilingualism on Lesotho radio.