Policy analysis as “text” in higher education: challenging South Africa’s “Use of Official Languages Act” : a case-based approach

Abstract

Policy science literature demonstrates that deeper insight into notions of the policy process, such as of policy formulation and policy-making, can be drawn from policy analysis. Some scholars have consequently paid serious attention to policy analysis. In this article, definitions of policy offered by scholars in the field of policy science are deliberated. Thereafter, the article engageswith policy analysis from the perspective of policy text. This article employs a case study to scrutinise the Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012,particularly the South African Qualification Authority’s language policy development and formulation process as a unit of analysis. From a conceptual and analytical perspective, the article draws on the notion of presupposition as a viable tool for analysing policy text. Furthermore, a textual cycle is proposed, and an account of pertinent research questions is provided. Finally, the article highlights some implications for transformation in higher education pertaining to policy text.