Wits Multilingual Landscape: Developing Language Use Guides For Inclusive Communication

South Africa has a rich linguistic diversity and progressive policies aimed at including indigenous languages; however, English continues to dominate academic discourse, while the university policy promotes multilingualism. As a means of interrogating this issue, this paper explores the role of digital language use guides in promoting multilingualism. Drawing on the Causality and Effect-Based Model and Communication Accommodation Theory, the study aims to demonstrate how these resources facilitate effective communication and address the linguistic imbalance prevalent in South African higher education. A qualitative desktop research approach was employed, involving a systematic analysis of the content and design of isiZulu and Sesotho language guides. Findings reveal that these guides, which are accessible online, provide essential linguistic and cultural knowledge, including forms of address, months of the year, and grammatical rules such as noun classes. The study discusses how these resources serve as transformative instruments that promote inclusivity and mitigate language degradation by integrating indigenous knowledge with standardised language use. It is recommended that more collaborative, digitally-focused initiatives be undertaken to revitalise and promote previously marginalised languages. This research contributes to scholarship by presenting a practical and innovative model for academic institutions to implement their language policies and foster a more equitable, culturally responsive academic environment.