Phala Phala? PanSALB announces Word of the Year shortlist
The PanSALB on Friday announced the shortlist for Word of the Year.
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in association with media research company Focal Points announced that the shortlisted words for the year are Phala-Phala, load shedding, xenophobia, inganekwane and gaslighting.
PanSALB spokesperson Ntombentle Huluhulu says the award is used to reflect the passing year in language.
"The SA Word of the Year is a word, term or expression preferred to reflect the passing year in language. To qualify for consideration, there must be evidence that the usage of the word or expression has increased significantly in the past 12 months across a broad range of media.
"The shortlisted words have, according to PanSALB, captured the ethos, mood or preoccupations of 2022."
A winner will be announced on Monday in commemoration of International Dictionary Day.
"The winner will be announced on Monday, 17 October 2022, in commemoration of International Dictionary Day, which is observed on October 16 in remembrance of the first American lexicographer, Noah Webster, who is considered to be the father of the American dictionary to emphasise the importance of learning while using dictionary skills and increasing one's vocabulary.
"The SA Word of the Year shortlist gives a glimpse of the social issues that have been the preoccupation of our discourse and conversations on matters that affect us in the country.
"Social media has also brought that fun element of language use to the fore and subsequently made translanguaging more prominent.
"Other words or terms that were submitted and considered include: Immigrant, Gender-Based Violence, iSigaxa sendaba, Wishy wishy", adds Huluhulu.
