This study intended to provide an analysis of the language use in the multilingual setting of banks in the Free State Province. The study further determined the status of African languages in the banking sector in relation to perceptions about the use of African languages when transacting and communicating in the banks. The study also highlighted the importance of language planning and policy in the banks. Mixed methods of conducting research, that is, qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed by the study, and questionnaires, interviews and observations were used to collect data. Banking clients and consultants were sampled randomly in the banks operating in the five cities/towns of the Free State Province, namely Bloemfontein, Harrismith, Welkom, Trompsburg and Sasolburg. The rationale for this study was that the use of English as sole language of business and communication in the banking sector has continued without being challenged, while African languages are not used. The language used by banks in their signage inside the banks, official documents such as loan contracts, agreements, investments, and savings documents are written in English, whereas the majority of customers at most banks are speakers of African languages.
Furthermore, the thesis submits that the current language situation in the banks operating in the Free State Province indicate that banks adopt monolingual language policies, which seek to use only English as the sole language of business and communication. Thus, going against the constitutional mandate/prescripts and the Language Policy of the Free State Provincial Government, which asserts that the official languages of the province are as follows: Afrikaans, English, Sesotho, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Setswana. In short, this simply means that the Free State Province adopted six official languages, not only one language as the banks do. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa promotes multilingualism and seeks to revitalize the languages of the majority which happen to be the previously marginalized languages of the country. Therefore, if banks respect and abide by the laws of this country, they should start addressing the issue of other official languages to be incorporated and used as the languages of business and communication.
Keywords: African languages, banking, language attitudes, language policy, multilingualism, workplace communication, intercultural communication.