African Languages
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing African Languages by Title
Now showing 1 - 15 of 15
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Analysis of the language techniques and thematic aspects of the Basotho accordion music(University of the Free State, 2009-12-31) Phafoli, Lehlohonolo Samuel; Moleleki, MohlomiEnglish: Informed by the functionalist perspective, the study analyzes the Basotho accordion music over the period 1980 – 2005. Of particular importance are the various themes addressed by the verbal text that comes up in the music. Specifically, the study analyzes the language used in the composition of the songs accompanying the Basotho accordion music; the rationale behind the use of such language. The study also looks at the status of the composers or artists of the music as well as the role of their music among Basotho; and last, it looks at the reception of the Basotho accordion music by Basotho. In order to address the above purposes of the study, the qualitative method was used to interpret the songs. The population of the study was all the Basotho artists, radio presenters of the music, shop owners selling the music, street vendors and the public that listens to the music and buys it. A stratified random sampling method was used to select with the subjects of the study. A total of 100 songs were analyzed while 81 subjects were interviewed for this study. The findings of the study on the issues investigated are that, Basotho accordion music promotes or helps in the aesthetics of the Sesotho language; that it is a reservoir of rich language. The recurring themes in the music range from social, political and economic issues. The music forges patriotism among Basotho by promoting customs, norms and values of the nation. In terms of status, the artists are either illiterate or semi-literate and the music is their main means of livelihood. On the whole, most Basotho are receptive to Basotho accordion music in many different ways. The study concludes that Basotho accordion music is part of the oral traditional music of Basotho since it retains some features of oral traditional music. Accordion music is very rich in a variety of linguistic techniques common in oral traditions of Basotho. The music also reflects the lifestyle of Basotho because of its historicity and coverage of concerns of the nation.Item Open Access Die onderrig van Zulu aan nie-moedertaalsprekers in die lig van resente taalaanleerteorieë(University of the Free State, 1993-10) De Wit, Helene Elma Duyvene; Posthumus, L. C.According to research reports the fluency of non-mother tongue speakers in African language courses at university level is unsatisfactory. This is not surprizing seeing that research in African languages focuses mainly on literature and linguistics while language acquisition does not feature prominently. The aim of this study is to provide directions that could serve as point of departure for further research on the teaching of the African languages to non-mother tongue speakers. Although it is realized that not all factors contributing to poor language acquisition can be solved by the suggestions made in this study, the author is of the opinion that the situation could be remarkably improved by the following: - Research on language teaching per se should be undertaken. Due to the advanced 1eve1 of research in Applied linguistics and the lack of a foundation in African languages, a priority amongst the international and national debates is set in this thesis for commencing research in African languages. - Grammar-based courses should be renewed to include communicative language teaching. In order to prevent haphazard research in an overwhelming maze of literature, a curriculum cycle is presented as an orientation point. - Experiential learning should be undertaken to supplement the teacher centered lecture seeing that only 20-40% of students profit by the exclusive use of the tutor centered lecture. - The way in which the adult learning process takes place should be taken into account during language instruction. Kolb's experiential learning model is presented as a solution to many problems encountered in language teaching. - The deficiencies in the various different teaching methods should be counteracted by an eclectic approach. Kolb's model is offered as a fusion of the different learning styles of students and the various teaching approaches. - In foreign language teaching, grammar should not be rejected altogether when engaging in communicative language teaching. The uncertain contribution of grammar in communicative language teaching of a foreign language is thus placed into perspective in this thesis. - The four skills, listening, reading, speaking and writing, should also receive special attention. In accordance with Kolb's model it is indicated that these skills should not be intuitively approached, but should be activated in a specific learning cycle.Item Open Access End rhyme as a device in Southern Sotho poetry: a comparative inquiry(University of the Free State, 1989-11) Lesoro, Ephraim Alfred Shadrack; Gildenhuys, J. G.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Factors constraining Grade 12 learners’ achievement in Sesotho Home Language(University of the Free State, 2016-10) Khetoa, Soyiso Godsave; Motsei, A. S.English: This study was undertaken upon the realisation that Grade 12 learners at a Secondary School in the Xhariep District throughout the years continued to promote Sesotho Home Language, however, their academic performance in the subject is disquieting. Given that learners have been proficient in Sesotho and have been using the language for purposes such as elicitation of knowledge and communication for almost two decades, the expectation is that learner’s cognitive knowledge of the language is sufficient to have learners achieve more that it is apparent. This study set out to find out both linguistic and extra-linguistic factors constraining meritorious learner’ achievement in Sesotho Home Language in Grade 12. The study employed a qualitative research approach, using three varying methods for data elicitation: questionnaires, interviews and observation. The data for this study was gathered from learners, parents and a single teacher. The study found out that factors impeding meritorious achievement in SHL include amongst others the inability of parents to voluntarily and constantly help learners with school work, learners attitude towards SHL, the unavailability of reference sources for learners, and linguistic factors such as learners tendency of using multi-codes in their speech has affected their ability to maintain monolingual speech especially in SHL lessons, thereby limiting learners’ Sesotho vocabulary. It has also been established that using methods such as code switching and code mixing have negative impact on learner’s education for the language under study. Recommendations aimed at addressing identified factors have also been proposed.Item Open Access The forms and functions of negation in Sesotho(University of the Free State, 2016) Masowa, Aaron Mpho; Malete, Elias NyefoloThe central aim of this research is to find out as to whether the three negative morphemes /ha/, /sa/ and /se/ and one negative word /tjhe/, can perform different functions of negation as stipulated by Schaefer and Masgbor (1984) in the Ibie language. This research will argue that these Sesotho negative categories can perform such functions. The investigation of the functions of negation will be conducted within the psycholinguistic framework of Bloom (1970) while various forms of negation will be investigated within the Generative approaches, and in particular, Beard’s (1995) Lexeme-morpheme based morphology, and the Principles and Parameters theory will be employed to examine the distribution of these morphemes. The following negative morphemes expressing various functions such as non–existance, rejection, denial and prohibition will be explored within copulative verbs and non copulative verbs: i) non-existence morphemes, ii) rejection morphemes, iii) denial morphemes, iv) prohibition morphemes and the negative word which will be reffered to as v) the exppressive negative word.Item Open Access Historical perspectives on the development of Sesotho linguistics with reference to syntactic categories(University of the Free State, 2021) Nhlapo, Moselane Andrew; Malete, Elias Nyefolo𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 Numerous scholars, including missionaries of various denominations of the past as well as other contemporary Sesotho linguists, have written on various aspects of the Sesotho language, especially in unpublished research theses and dissertations. However, there is no publication, which formerly traces the diachronic development of Sesotho linguistics, and in particular, the identification and classification of Sesotho syntactic categories within a particular linguistic developmental period. This research study traces the historical development of Sesotho syntactic categories. It also traces over time how various linguists have identified, described, and analyzed Sesotho syntactic categories, looking at the prominent characteristics of various linguistic periods, namely the pre-literacy period (1659-1800), historical-comparative period (1800-1826), missionary period (1826-1927), structural/functional period (1927-1975) and modern/Chomskyan period (1975 to date). It has been observed that during the pre-literary period, Sesotho was a spoken language and the transmission of information, history, and involvement within the Basotho was predominantly through the oral practice and performance rather thano n written texts. The Basotho people used oral traditions such as folklore, proverbs, riddles, songs, and stories to pass information from one generation to another. The missionaries introduced Sesotho orthography and Sesotho grammar where syntactic categories such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections were identified; where grammatical concepts such as case in Sesotho and its various types were also identified, the concept that was later disputed by Doke and Mofokeng. In the structural period, Doke, van Wyk, and Ziervogel identified more syntactic categories besides nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and conjunctions. They added copulatives, interjections, and relatives. The Chomskyan period broadly classified Sesotho syntactic categories; it provides a full description and analysis of sentences, phrases, and words. It identified five broad syntactic categories, namely i) sentences as parts of speech, ii) Phrases as grammatical categories, iii) Lexical categories as syntactic categories (this category consists of nouns, verbs, copulatives, deficient verbs, adverbs, adjectives, relatives, conjunctions, prepositions, quantifiers, and enumerative), iv) Inflectional categories (agreement of inflection, tense, mood, aspects, and negatives) and v) Empty categories such as pronouns, null subject, and the infinitive. Finally, this study presents an observation that the analysis of grammatical phenomena at different times in the history of African Languages, were patterned and classified according to European classical languages and prominent characteristics of a particular linguistic period, despite their unique grammatical structures, and that with the arrival of the modern linguistic approaches (Generative Transformational Grammar), which filtered through at a later stage in the historical development of African languages, recognized the uniqueness of syntactic categories of African Languages, bringing them back into their spaces of history and securing their lost identity. ___________________________________________________________________Item Open Access In Kritiese ontleding van die aard en ontwikkeling van die novelle in Suid-Sotho.(University of the Free State, 1973-12) Gildenhuys, Jacobus Greyling; Du Plessis, J. A.; Van Heerden, C.Abstract not availableItem Open Access J. J. Moiloa - the dramatist(University of the Free State, 1982-05) Emslie, Clarence Field; Gildenhuys, J. G.; Muller, F. R.Chapter one deals with the structure of drama in general: the introduction, the beginning, the expositon, the theme, the complication, the development, the crisis, the climax and the dénouement. The action-complexes and their function in both Jaa ... , .and Molomo ..., are discussed in detail. Examples from the two dramas under discussion are then quoted and as far as is possible it is shown how the two dramas employ a general structure. Chapter two on characterization discusses different methods a playwright employs to portray his characters to the audience like characterization by appearance, characterization through other characters, characterization through praise-poems, characterization by the playwright and characterization by action. A character-analysis of all the characters in the two dramas under discussion concludes this chapter. Chapter three is an in-depth discussion on all aspects of dialogue used in these dramas. Matters such as functions of dialogue, indirect and dramatic dialogue, the aside, the soliloquy, Moiloa's style, irony, humour, puns, vulgar language, religious tones, praise-poems, figures o£ speech, the use of other languages English, Afrikaans and Fanagalo in Moiloa's dramas are discussed. The function of the many idioms and proverbs used in Moiloa's dramas is also discussed. Chapter four is a discussion of extrinsic conventions which include: what holds an audience's attention in a drama and how Moiloa has attempted to hold his audience's attention in both Jaa o siele motswalle and Molomo wa badimo. What appeals to an audience is also discussed. A lengthy part of the chapter is taken up by para-textual infuences on a drama. with regard to the two dramas in question, the following para-textual influences receive attention: working on the mines, Bantu marriage customs, the abduction of a bride, child discipline, medicinal practice and beliefs, the witchdoctor, the initiation "schools", the ancestors, the spirits of the dead, the wedding in traditional style. Two minor para-textual influences discussed are that of spitting and the surname a girl takes when getting married. The researcher has come to the conclusion that the two dramas can be classed as relatively successful Sesotho dramas.Item Open Access Patriarchal expressions in modern selected Sesotho novels: a feminist perspective(University of the Free State, 2021) Mosia, Tseko Isaac; David, Letlala Bahedile; Malete, Elias NyefoloThis research work entitled, Patriarchal expressions in modern selected Sesotho novels: A feminist perspective, is about the ill-treatment that women are subjected to in society through the system of patriarchy and some of the traditional cultural values which oppress them. Chapter one is an introduction that deals with the background of the study, research methodology, statement of the problem, review of literature, significance of the study as well as aims of the study. Chapter two presents a theoretical framework focusing on feminism, African feminism, gender, patriarchy, culture and characterisation. In this chapter, the study shows how patriarchy as a system that oppresses women, should be challenged. Feminism is discussed as an approach which is concerned with how women are treated in society. Feminists believe that society is subjected to a patriarchal culture which promotes men at the expense of women. As a result, feminists challenge the ills of patriarchy in society and the equality of men and women. Women should not be treated as second- class citizens but should have equal rights as men. African traditional cultural values which oppress women are strongly challenged by African feminists. The third chapter deals with how male and female characters are portrayed in the novel, Bophelo ke dihaeya. Female characters are portrayed in negative terms. Characters such as Lefulesele, Dilahlwane, Ntswaki and Mmakgotso are portrayed as evil, sex objects, powerless and submissive to their male counterparts. Male characters such as Kotleng and Matsekane are portrayed as powerful, leaders, manipulative and dominant over women. In the fourth chapter, the novel, Hei! Ke tsamaile, is analysed. Senganangana is authoritative and has no respect for his daughter, Sepapatlele, and considers her as weak, dumb and a failure. He does not encourage and support her, instead he demoralises her and treats her as a slave. He chases Sepapatlele away when he discusses his son’s academic achievement and tells her that she is a good-for-nothing person and will not reach the high academic standard of his son. Sepapatlele is used as a sex object by Snoeky and Bolokwe. When Sepapatlele realises that she is pregnant, she flees to KwaZulu-Natal out of fear of her father. She does not succeed there and goes back home. The last chapter is the conclusion and observations of the study.Item Open Access The poetry of R. F. Ratshitanga: a critical evaluation of the poetry of protest(University of the Free State, 1983-10) Milubi, Ntshavheni Alfred; Mathivha, M. E. R.In chapter one, definitions are given on what poetry and poets are, whereas in chapter two, an emphasis is put on imagery in Ratshitanga's poetry. His imagery clarifies the object of his description. It helps readers to re-live the inhumane situations in which they find themselves. Chapter three deals with symbolism which enriches and intensifies hi-poetry. It perforce his inner feelings. This is meant to evoke latent emotions in the readers. Symbolism is followed by his artistry and technique in chapter four. These are used to project his protest against the ills of his society. In chapter five, Ratshianga's protest in his poetry awakens people to self-awareness. It shakes them from their sleeping stupor. The last chapter evokes a feeling of social responsibility in everybody. Ratshianga shows that every man has a right to throw away the shackles that bind him and cause bitterness in his life.· He maintains that the attainment of freedom is not only an individual task, but a concerted effort that must pervade any societal set-up.Item Open Access Portrayal of witchcraft in selected IsiZulu novels(University of the Free State, 2023) Ndebele, Siphiwe Alfred; Malete, Elias Nyefolo; Zulu, N. S.𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 This study investigates the various depictions of witchcraft in selected IsiZulu novels from South Africa. The objective is to investigate witchcraft techniques in each novel by thematically classifying the different and dominant types of witchcraft portrayed. A thematic approach to literary analysis is employed. This study is prompted by the lack of scholarly works that have focused on the practices of witchcraft in Zulu culture. Focus has been placed on the novels from the years 1935 up to 2014. The novels analysed were divided into two (2) categories of eras, namely; the colonial period and post-colonial period. IsiZulu novels written during the South African colonial-era such as Noma Nini (1935), Nje Nempela (1943), Amalutha Emalutheni (1960), Ikusasa Alaziwa (1969), Shumpu (1974), Abafana Boqunga (1977), Umbuso KaShaka (1987) and Ulaka LwabeNguni (1988) chronicle the use of witchcraft practices during the period of white-domination. IsiZulu fiction written in South Africa’s post-colonial period includes texts such as Ithemba Lami (1993), Kungasa Ngifile (2002), Kuyoqhuma Nhlamvana (2004), Ngacishe Ngazibambezela (2006), Akuyiwe Emhlahlweni (2007), Imiyalezo (2008), Kunjalo-ke (2008) and Bakithi! Impi Yothando Iyimpi Yegazi (2014). The study reveals how representations of sorcery, occult practices and witchcraft as portrayed in the chosen IsiZulu novels highlight witchcraft beliefs that are systematically related to specific cultural, political, socio-economic and psychological institutions. The study also thematically retraces how witchcraft practices such as otikoloshe (a mischievous and evil spirit), ukudlisa (poisoning) and izulu (lightning) form part of what Niehaus (2001) considers to be elaborate social dramas which reflect how beliefs about at communal and personal level witchcraft are organised. ___________________________________________________________________Item Open Access The role played by sesotho texting as a mode of communication of married Basotho people in Lesotho(University of the Free State, 2017-01) Tiheli, Mamorema Lydicia; Motsei, A. S.English: The study aimed at identifying and exploring the roles of text messages among married Basotho staying in Maseru urban, Lesotho. In order to address the purpose of the study, the qualitative research design utilising semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used. The sample of participants comprised ten married people in Maseru urban in Lesotho. A thorough statistical analysis of the roles of text messages through the theory of Textual Analysis was conducted to understand the issue of text messages among married Basotho. Findings from this study indicated that texting among some married Basotho consolidates relationships while in others brings about marital conflicts. With regard to recommendations, the study recommends the good use of texting.Item Open Access The sequence of derivational and inflectional morphemes in selected Sesotho word categories(University of the Free State, 2015-11-25) Nhlapo, Moselane Andrew; Malete, E. N.English: This study examines the sequence of Sesotho derivational and inflectional morphemes in open class word categories (verbs and deverbative nouns). It examines how these morphemes are ordered and based on Greenberg’s universal clause, which states that ‘if both the derivation and inflection follow the root, or they both precede the root, the derivation is always between the root and the inflection’ (Greenberg 1963:93). This statement has been tested in Sesotho word categories such as verb phrases and deverbative noun phrases. A brief description, classification, linear and hierarchical arrangement of Sesotho grammatical morphemes have been given in terms of the XBar theory and Beard (1995)’s, Lexeme-Based – Morphology as a background theory to contextualise the analysis of the sequence of Sesotho lexical morphemes. Sample word categories were chosen from Sesotho noun class list, and a range of Sesotho word categories were selected from the list and analysed to determine the sequence and various combinations of derivational and inflectional morphemes. It has been observed that inflectional morphemes in verbs are always amid the root and the closing vowel known as the verbal end. Secondly, it has been observed that when inflectional morphemes appear with derivational morphemes in the formation of a new word category, the derivational morphemes, in this case noun prefixes, always appear at the beginning of the word as in (Mosebeletsi [Worker]), and also appear at the end of the word as in this example (Tshwarelo [Forgiveness]). This study argued that Sesotho as one of the agglutinative languages, employs noun class prefixes as nominal derivational morphemes, which appear at the beginning of the noun and it also employs locative suffixes [-eng] to form locative nouns which function as adverbs. The suffix [-eng] therefore also functions as derivational morpheme but in this case it appears at the end of the noun locatives. This study therefore concludes that Sesotho does not conform to Greenberg’s (1963) universal statement.Item Open Access The structural analysis and interpretation of Sesotho folktale: Mokoko le Phakwe(University of the Free State, 2012-01) Nthako, M. S.; Malete, E. N.Folktales are literally forms that reveal the soul of any society; they express its wishes, desires, hopes and beliefs about the world. They are often ancient, have fictitious characters and situations and mostly oral traditions before they were written down. According to the South African folklore journal, 'African folktales are in their very nature plain, and primitive in their simplicity; not adorned with the wealth of places and precious stones to be met with in the folklore of more civilized nations, but descriptive in great measure of the events of everyday life, among those in a low state of civilization; and with the exception of evidence of moral qualities, and of such imagery as is connected with the phenomena of nature , very little that is grand or magnificent must be looked for in it'. The central aim of this study is to indicate through Vladimir Propps's Morphological Analysis of Russian Folktales (1927) that African folktales, in this case Sesotho folktales, have much to look for with regard to Sesotho folktales, called'Mokoko le Phakwe' (The Cock & the Hawk) The analysis of this folktale will be considered within the Syntagmatic structural approach, where the text is described in chronological order as reported by the story teller , and within the Paradigmatic structured approach, where patterns underlying the folkloristic text is not a requested structure , but where elements are regrouped in a more analytical manner to manifest latent content within the text. It is this latent content that this study will employ to highlight the importance of oral literature to our daily lives, to highlight how Sesotho folktales can play a major role in the interpretation of socio-economic situations in the lives of African people even today.Item Open Access Structural analysis, significance and interpretation of Sesotho folktale: Phokojwe(University of the Free State, 2011-02) Mokoena, Lynette Sellwane; Malete, E. N.This study project focuses on one Sesotho folktale called "Phokojwe", (The jackal). All characters are animals and the subject is about water preservation and its challenges. This folktales will be considered within the Syntagmatic Structural approach, where the text is described in chronological order as reported by the story teller, and within the Paradigmatic structured approach, where patterns underlying the Folkloristic text is not a requested structure, but where elements are regrouped in a more analytical manner to manifest latent content within the text. It is this latent content that this study will employ to depict how this folktale can be used to interpret the socio-political situation in real life. This research study further intends to argue that Sesotho folktales are not bound to time and space; they can be employed to interpret the current economic and social happenings. They have depth in that there is an underlying message from which people can learn about African values and social norms. In this folktale, 'Phokojwe', the significance of democracy is depicted, the practice of preserving water is the central subject, voluntarism, human weakness and bribery prevail.