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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in General Linguistics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86067  Bachelor of Arts Honours in General Linguistics 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Language 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The competencies captured in this qualification will provide the learner with sound knowledge and understanding of:
  • The functions, structure, use, variation and acquisition of human language.
  • The concepts, conceptual distinctions and principles involved in modern linguistic inquiry.
  • Research methodologies which are used to examine problems in a particular linguistic area.

    These competencies include the reading of technical texts, the comprehension, selection, representation and critical appraisal of linguistic information and the integration of pieces of information into a coherent linguistic argument.

    The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Analysing current knowledge of linguistic insights, theoretical approaches and research methods.
  • Analysing problematic phenomena in a particular linguistic area.
  • Conducting independent research in a particular area of linguistics.

    Rationale:

    This qualification meets the needs of the sector by providing a focused learning opportunity for learners who wish to specialise in the study of languages. The qualification will provide learning opportunities for persons in the areas of general education, language education, language planning and advice, speech-language therapy, translation, interpretation, journalism, editing and copy-writing.

    The typical leaner attempting this qualification will have completed a cognate Bachelor's Degree in the Arts at NQF Level 7 or 8. This qualification will allow the learner access to further learning at Master's Degree level in the same or a related field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The knowledge, skills and cognitive ability demonstrated in a cognate Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or 8.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the admission requirements.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Learners registering for this qualification should already have achieved a cognate Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or 8, or an equivalent qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    To be awarded the qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 120 credits.

    Learners will be required to complete the following three compulsory modules at NQF Level 8:
  • Core Module: Core concepts in different areas of linguistics (30 credits).
  • Specialisation Module: Theory and analysis in a specific area of linguistics (30 credits).
  • Research Module: Research of a topic in area of specialisation (60 credits). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse current knowledge of linguistic insights, theoretical approaches and research methods.

    2. Analyse problematic phenomena in a particular area of linguistics.

    3. Conduct independent research in a particular area of linguistics.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This programme addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria should be applied in an integrated manner to all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Texts are analysed with precision and insight into their content and context.
  • Phenomena are identified in a relevant domain.
  • Reasoning is applied objectively and critically.
  • Thoughts and solutions are developed from clearly conceptualised ideas.
  • Academic papers and studies are written according to required standards.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning of the individual modules. Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module. Integrated assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Bachelor of Arts Honours: General Linguistics was compared with equivalent qualifications in Canada and Malta. The following were selected.

    Carleton University Canada - B.A. Honours General Linguistics:
    A Courses:
  • Linguistics 1000 or Linguistics 1001 or Linguistics 1002
  • Linguistics 2203 or Linguistics 2401 or Linguistics 2703 or Linguistics 2705
  • Linguistics 4001 or Linguistics 4002 or Linguistics 4009
  • Linguistics 2001 or Linguistics 2003 or Linguistics 3002 or Linguistics 3004
  • Linguistics and Applied Studies (chosen in consultation)

    B Courses:
  • 8 credits not in Linguistics and Applied Studies
  • 2 credits from Free Electives

    University of Malta: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics
    Year One:
    Compulsory Units:
  • Grammar (Syntax and Morphology)
  • General Phonetics
  • Semantics
  • Academic Reading and Writing in English
  • Academic Speaking in English
  • Maltese Sign Language for Linguistic Students
  • Formal Foundations for Linguistics
  • Tools and Techniques in the Analysis of Language
  • Pragmatics 1
  • Il-Varjabbil Sojolingwistici f'Malta

    Year Two:
    Compulsory Units:
  • Development Psycholinguistics: The Acquisition of a First Language
  • Grammatical Categories
  • Models of Grammar
  • Computational Linguistics
  • Segmental Phonology
  • Suprasegmental Phonology
  • Language Typology and Universals
  • Language and Cognition
  • Research Methods in Linguistics
  • Acoustic Phonetics: Preliminaries
  • Maltese Sign Language 2 for Linguistic Students
  • Natural Language Processing

    Elective (Choose credits to make up required credits)
  • L-Istorja-Ilsien Malti
  • Studjui tal- Ilsien Malti tas-Seklu Tmintax
  • Theorizing about Language
  • Interlanguage Phonology
  • Stylistics
  • Dissertation Writing for Undergraduates
  • Il-Malti Lsien Imaliat

    Year 3
    Compulsory Units:
  • Dissertation
  • Issues in Grammar
  • Dialects
  • Introduction to Sign Linguistics: Principles
  • Signwriting: Introduction
  • Synoptic Study-unit: Topics in General Linguistics
  • Synoptic Study-Unit: Interdisciplinary Linguistics
  • Formal Semantics
  • Corpus Linguistics

    Elective (Choose credits to make up required credits)
  • Arabic 1
  • Il-Morfoloija inflecttiva tal-Malti
  • Is-Sintassi tal-Malti
  • Interlanguage Phonology

    The content of the South African qualification seems to compare favourably with these international examples. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal and external moderation must be conducted by moderators appointed by the provider. Both internal and external moderators must be in possession of an appropriate qualification at least one level above the level of this qualification, as well as relevant, current experience in the field of study. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.