South Africans are burdened with the legacy of apartheid and our language has moved with the times – but NOT in a good way.
Many of us have moved from the outspoken racist comments and behaviour to more subtle comments and behaviour through the use of a language loosely termed ‘othering language’. Othering language is a, often subtle, communicative process that constructs a binary “us vs. them” narrative, positioning a dominant group as the norm while labelling, separating, and devaluing others as inferior, strange, or unworthy.
As a reminder here are some examples of ‘Othering Language’ that could be construed as offensive and racist and get you into a spot of trouble with the authorities or just your well meaning good intentioned neighbour.
In South Africa, othering language often relies on coded geography, possessive pronouns, and cultural gatekeeping.
Here are the most common examples categorised by how they are typically used:
1. The Use of “Those” and “Them” (The Proxies)
This is the most frequent form of othering. It avoids naming a race or group directly but implies a “standard” group vs. an “intruding” group.
“Those people”: Frequently used to describe anyone behaving in a way the speaker dislikes (e.g., “Those people have no respect for the rules”).
“Their kind”: Implies a fundamental, biological, or cultural difference that makes a group incompatible with “our” neighbourhood.
“They are taking over”: Frames the presence of a diverse group of people as an invasion or a loss of control for the “original” residents.
2. Geographic and Spatial Coding
In South Africa, where you live or where you “belong” is often used as a shorthand for social value.
“Back to the township”: As seen in your neighbour’s comment, this implies that certain behaviours are only acceptable in lower-income or historically Black areas and that the “suburb” has a different set of moral or social requirements.
“This isn’t [specific area name]”: (e.g., “This isn’t Soweto” or “This isn’t Khayelitsha”). It suggests that the speaker’s current location is superior and must be “protected” from the influence of other areas.
“They should go back to where they came from”: A classic exclusionary phrase that ignores the reality that the person is a legal resident, tenant, or owner in that very neighbourhood.
3. “Civilization” and “Standards” Tropes
These phrases frame one group as the keepers of “order” and the “other” as the source of “chaos.”
“Declining standards”: Often used as a dog-whistle when a neighbourhood becomes more diverse. It attributes physical or social decay to the arrival of “other” people.
“Unproductive noise”: Differentiating between “acceptable” noise (a lawnmower, a rugby crowd) and “unproductive” noise (certain types of music, shouting in a different language).
“Acting like animals/hooligans”: Using dehumanizing language to describe celebrations or behaviours that differ from the speaker’s cultural norms.
4. Linguistic Exclusion
“Speak English/Afrikaans so we can all understand”: While sometimes a practical request, it is often used aggressively to stop people from speaking their mother tongue in public or shared spaces, implying that their language is a “disturbance.”
Mocking accents: Mimicking or belittling the way someone speaks English as a second or third language to imply a lack of intelligence or “belonging.”
5. Defensive “Othering” (The Taxpayer Narrative)
“As a ratepayer/taxpayer…”: While a valid status, it is often used to imply that “others” (who the speaker assumes don’t pay rates) have a lesser right to speak, use public parks, or enjoy the neighbourhood.
“We built this community”: Implies that new or “different” residents are merely guests who should be grateful, rather than equal stakeholders with their own rights.
How to Present This to Your Group
When you share these, you might use the “Impact vs. Intent” framework:
“A comment might not be intended as a slur, but the impact of using words like ‘those people’ or ‘the township’ is that it makes our neighbours feel like they don’t belong. To keep this group a ‘GQ Hidden Gem,’ we should focus on the problem (the noise, the safety concern) rather than the people.”
Summary Table for a Quick “Cheat Sheet”:
| Othering Language | What it Implies | Better Alternative |
| “Those people” | “They” are a monolith and different from “us.” | “The people attending the event.” |
| “Back to the township” | Certain people don’t belong in suburbs. | “The volume is too high for a residential area.” |
| “Declining standards” | Diversity equals decay. | “Let’s discuss how to maintain our parks.” |
| “Other people’s music” | My culture’s norms are the only valid ones. | “The music volume from the stadium is loud.” |
Related: Racist or Not? | Racist or Not?
