Department of African Languages

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The adjective in isiZulu
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-12) Mngadi, Nomusa Esther; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study deals with the syntax as well as the semantics of the adjective in isiZulu. The categories with the meaning of an adjective which may be used to modify a noun are identified. It is seen that the adjectival stems in isiZulu are very few. The need of the adjective is therefore also supplied by other categories such as the nominal relative, the copulative with na, the copulative with NP, the stative verb and the descriptive possessive. An overview is given in Chapter 2 of the views of earlier linguists such as Bhat, Dixon, Gross, Jones, Radford, Quirk, Doke, Du Plessis and Mabaso on the category: adjective. Dixon's prototypes are used in the classification of the semantic types of the above mentioned categories. The detailed account of the adjective, the nominal relative as well as the descriptive possessive is given. The semantic features and the distribution of these types in a phrase are looked at in depth. Nominal relatives have a descripting meaning like adjectives although they can be distinguished from adjectives in that they always have inflection and secondly a relative does not have a prescribed number of stems from which it can be formed but it can be formed by the use of stems from other categories such as Noun (N). Chapter 5 gives an exposition of the descriptive possessive. It is seen that noun phrases may appear as complements of nouns. The possessive [a] in descriptive possessive constructions has no possessive meaning, instead it has a descriptive meaning. This [a] can be treated in the same way as the English of.
The adjective in Tshivenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-04) Mutheiwana, Humbulani Doris; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study the adjective constructions in Tshiven~a are investigated within a set of criteria in order to characterize the adjectival category and to differentiate it from other categories. An adjective can be defined as a word which modifies a noun that prototypically denotes visible or tangible objects. Different linguists give different accounts which deal with criteria for adjectives where they give attention to prototype and certain multiple criteria. Dixon establishes seven different semantic types under which the adjectives can be grouped, e.g. one of them is dimension. It has been established by Schachter that there are languages that have no adjectives at all, in which the meanings that they express are conveyed by nouns or verbs. In other words what is universal is not adjectives but to modify, or elaborate on the meaning of a noun. Morphological adjectives are marked by a noun class prefix on the adjectival stem. The prefix agrees in class with the noun to which it refers. Morphological adjective can appear attributively and predicatively. When adjectives are used attributively in Tshivenda they usually appear as " complements of a noun. But when they are used predicatively, they occur in copulative constructions. Syntactic evidence relates to the fact that different categories of words have different distributions. Adjective can not be identified by looking at it in isolation, because the form of a word does not necessarily indicate its syntactic function. Descriptive possessives as semantic adjectives describe the noun they refer to in a way that is different to that of possessives. The descriptive part can be shown as the head of the noun and can also be shown as a complement of possessive [-a-] where they indicate location, time, event and gender.
The adjective in Xhosa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Bottoman, Ntombesizwe; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages .
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adjectives in Xhosa represent a small, closed class of descriptive nominal modifiers, which are categorized as the adjective because of their morphological behaviour, i.e. they all have to appear with the prefix of the noun which is the head of the Noun Phrase. There are other nominal modifiers in Xhosa, which may have the same descriptive function as the small class of morphological adjectives. Attention focuses on the relative clauses and descriptive possessives. The term "Adjective" in Xhosa includes the semantic adjective. Various scholars define the adjective as a distinct category by establishing specific criteria for. Semantic prototypes with noun, adjective and verb types, i.e. semantic types according to Dixon (1991) are considered. Semantic types in Xhosa may also have this feature. The following categoreis have been considered: morphological adjective, descriptive possessive, relative clauses, i.e. nominal relative clauses and the verbal relative clauses. With regard to the morphological adjective: Some basic notions on the morphological adjectives, specifically the morphology of adjectives, adjectival phrases, the distribution of the adjectives, comparison and the co-ordinated adjectives, and the definite morpheme are dealt with. The following values have been dealt with regarding the structure of the relative clause, i.e. the nominal relative clause with the definite morpheme [a], the copulative verb and the nominal relative complements of the copulative verbs. Two issues have been discussed in the case of the descriptive possessive: firstly, where the descriptive part is the head of the Noun Phrase with meanings such as groups, nouns denoting quantity, cardinal numbers, the partitives, units of measure and mass, humans with the features of psychological and physical features, the infinitive clause, and secondly, the descriptive part is the complement of the preposition [-a-].
Adjectives in Northern Sotho
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-04) Mphasha, Lekau Eleazar; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the adjective in Northern Sotho. The entire research indicates that adjectives form a closed system and are morphologically marked with a noun class prefix in Northern Sotho. Three semantic categories of adjectives which may be recognized are descriptive, quantitative and colour adjectives. Chapter One is the introduction of the research. The introductory sections which appear in it are purpose and aim of study, method of research, organization of the study, definitions of the concepts and derivation of adjectives. Chapter Two concentrates on the semantic adjective. Semantics deals with the study of words origins~ changes and meanings. Attributive (prenominal) adjectives tend to denote fairly permanent properties, while predicative ones denote the corresponding transient properties as in the following examples: (1) a. The shirt is loose (not buttoned) b. The loose shirt (not fitting properly) (2) a. The apparatus are handy (conveniently at hand) b. Handy apparatus (useful apparatus) Adjectives can occur in comparative and exclamatory constructions. Two types of adjectives may also differ from one another in that the one involving conversion does not take degree modifier or comparative, whereas the one not involving conversion can have either of them occurring with them: (3) a. The strong should help the weak b. The very strong should help the weak (4) a. The cup is big b. The cup is too big Chapter Three evolves on the formation and structure of adjectives in Northern Sotho. This chapter introduces a wide range of word building elements used to create the adjective structure. Emphasis is put on the adjectival prefixes, adjectival stems and adjectival suffixes which are the constituent elements of the adjective. Only the adjectival stems are reduplicable and have usually an intensified meaning. This implies that the adjectival prefixes and adjectival suffixes, in terms of their position and function, cannot be reduplicated. There are also some restrictions in the use of adjectives. The main concerns are the nature of word-formation processes and the ways in which wordformation interacts with syntax, semantics and lexicon. Chapter Four exemplifies the descriptive possessive in full. As a matter of clarification, no possessives have been discussed in this chapter. Descriptive possessives and possessives are two different aspects. In this chapter, various aspects which make up the descriptive possessives are also discussed in detail. Chapter Five deals with the nominal relative clause. The head is always the noun in all the nominal relative clauses. The matrix and the relative clauses are given under physical features, psychological features, habits, skills, taste and natural phenomena. The distribution of a relative is also indicated. Attention is based on the complement of a noun and position in a clause. Chapter Six is the concluding chapter which gives the summary of all the previous chapters.
Basic emotion in Xitsonga
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Mabunda, Cecilia Sarah; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
Please refer to full text for abstract
Basic emotion words in Sesotho
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-12) Mlangeni, Khatamela Christopher; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to identify the basic emotion verbs in Sesotho. Five basic emotions verb are identified: anger, anxiety, disgust, sadness, and fear. The verbs, expressions, as well as idiophones that express these emotions, are identified. Furthermore, the emotion words are semantically and syntactically analyzed. The outlay of the nine chapters is as follows: Chapter One is an Introduction in which reference is made to the aim of this study, methods used in compiling the data, and the analysis of the data. Chapter Two offers an overview of the basic emotions. A psychological overview of the work of the following scholars is undertaken: Le Doux (1998), Johnson-Laird and Oatley (1992), Tomkins (1962), Plutchik (1980), and Izard (1971); as well as a linguistic overview of the work of the following scholars: Kovecses (1989), Wierzbicka (1989), Frijda (1986), and Goddard (1998). Chapter Three deals with the lexical semantics which will be used in analyzing the different emotion words. Chapter Four deals with anger words. It starts with an overview of anger as treated by the following scholars: Taylor and Mbense (1998), Kovecses (1989), and Lakoff and Kovecses (1987). The treatment of the data (the expression of anger in Sesotho) starts with the definition of anger, followed by expressions of anger and the verbs of anger which are analyzed semantically and syntactically. Another form of the expression of anger, namely the threat, is also analyzed semantically and syntactically. Chapter Five deals with anxiety, Chapter Six with disgust, Chapter Seven with sadness and Chapter Eight with fear. In all these instances, the definition of the emotion word is followed by relevant expressions and verbs which are semantically and syntactically analyzed. The last chapter, Chapter Nine, offers conclusions regarding the five different types of emotion words in Se otho.
Break and bend verbs in Sesotho
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Phindane, Pule Alexis; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages .
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The break and bend verbs in Sesotho are investigated with a view to account for the unique properties of these verbs. The study gives a full account of the predicate argument structure of break and bend verbs. In Sesotho we have three types of predicates, namely, one-place, two-place and three-place predicates. The study also focuses on the number of arguments these verbs may assign. Some of these verbs are intransitive and therefore they assign one argument, which is an external argument. Other verbs are transitive and as such they assign more than one argument (i.e. external and internal arguments). These verbs are investigated as to whether they would select certain arguments to appear with them and it was found that when they do, they also select semantic features which these arguments must have in order to appear with such verbs. These verbs are also examined with the view to account for their difference. It was found that certain bend verbs show the same syntactic properties as the break verbs, except those bend verbs name reverse actions. Another observation was that not all break and bend verbs have zero-related nominaIs. When they do, the nominals describe the result of the action named by the verb. The study investigate these verbs as to whether they would allow cognate objects, verbal alternations and derived verbs (in the case of bend verbs), and it was found that some of them would allow such lexical items.
The break and bend verbs in Tshivenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Mukwevho, Mulatedzi; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis is organized into five chapters: the first chapter deals with the aims of the study, the theoretical framework that has been assumed in this study as well as the organisation of the thesis. The second chapter gives an overview of the assumptions of lexical semantics with specific reference to the Generative Lexicon. Chapter 3 is concerned with the break verbs while chapter 4 deals with the bend verbs in Tshivenda. Chapter 5 gives the conclusions of the study. With regard to the break verbs in Tshivenda: these verbs have been classified into seven subgroups with regard to specific semantic features. Syntactically, the break verbs in Tshivenda are mainly transitive verbs while a large group have a transitive-intransitive alternation with the suffixes [-I-/-w-]. The break verbs may also regularly appear with the iterative suffixes [Vkan- Nkany-]. Most of the break verbs also regularly appear in two other alternations i.e. the possession alternation and the instrument-subject alternation. The bend verbs in Tshivenda are organized into five subgroups with regard to their semantic features. All bend verbs in Tshivenda are transitive verbs, but it has been shown that these verbs are in reality ergative verbs which assign two internal theta-roles. These verbs also regularly appear in the possession alternation and the instrument-subject alternation. Both the break and bend verbs have furthermore been treated within the main components of the Generative lexicon, i.e. argument structure, event structure, lexical conceptual paradigm and lexical inheritance structure.
The classificatory system of human features in Sesotho
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-12) Mokhokhoba, Mamotheba Mataelo.; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The classificatory system for features of humans in Sesotho has been investigated to show the unique nature of such human features. There are various models to handle the lexicon of a language and one of these models has been applied to Sesotho, i.e. the theory of the Generative lexicon. In chapter one attention has been given to the purpose of the study as well as various problems within lexical semantics such as lexical ambiguity. Chapter two is concerned with the theory of lexical semantics in which attention has been given to the various levels of representation of a noun in the lexicon. A representation has been given of the semantic entry of a noun in the Sesotho lexicon. Chapter three has the core of the study which investigates the semantic features of human nouns in Sesotho. Various semantic categories have been found within which such human nouns may be classified. The major categories contain nouns of humans with various physical and psychological features as well as nouns with features of various types of behaviour and features of wealth vs. poverty. Chapter four contains the conclusions of the study.
A comparative study of six Xhosa radio dramas
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1991-11) Makosana, Nomkhitha Ethley; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is based on the comparison of six Xhosa radio dramas spanning the period 1987 and 1988. The main objective is to investigate the strengths and weaknesses which manifest themselves in the dramas. The dramas are compared with respect to the six structural elements of drama viz., theme, plot, characterization, time and space, and the techniques of production.Themes are studied to establish whether there have been any developments as far as the choice of themes is concerned in Xhosa radio dramas or whether there has been stagnation. Also given is a brief literary history of the themes broadcast in the Xhosa radio. The analysis of the plot structure is also done to identify the areas where they met the requirements successfully as well as where they failed to. The dramas are analysed according to the traditional approach Le. the exposition, complication, climax and the denouement.With regard to characterization, the characters are classified according to the function they perform viz., the protagonist, antagonist, tritagonist and confidante. They are also analysed according to their individual nature Le. whether they are static or dynamic, mono- or multidimensional etc. Techniques that the playwrights have used in the portrayal of their characters are also examined.The aspects of time and space are also discussed, to investigate the artistic skills of the different dramatists in handling the time and space relations. Time is viewed with respect to the following: order, duration, frequency, tempo and the presentation of the time structures. Space is discussed with respect to the following: type, function, and the techniques of localisation.A critical comparison of the production techniques used by these different playwrights is explored, the focus being on the microphone, sound effects and music. The examination conducted in the study basically revealed that there is little development in Xhosa radio dramas.The themes that are broadcast are mainly for entertainment and consequently have little intellectual depth. There is also a lack of innovation which is shown by the repetition of the same themes.The playwrights also lack skill as far as plot construction is concerned. The plays are devoid of conflict The absence of conflict in the dramas has an effect on characterization. It has given rise to weak antagonists in the dramas. Lack of focus regarding the main character is one of the faults that is evident in the dramas. Because of the fact that all characters are on the level of importance, it becomes difficult to pin-point who the focal character is. Finally, the Xhosa radio dramas discussed in this thesis revealed that there is latent potential in the Xhosa dramatists and the producers. It is therefore necessary that they should be motivated towards research on the subject and consultation with people who are knowledgeable in this sub-genre. Such actions could be of assistance towards the improvement of skills and techniques needed in the writing of the radio drama
Complaints and responses in selected Tshivenda dramas
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Phungo, Muthuphei Joseph; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When we consider the total number of complaints, which have been used in the selected Tshivenda dramas, we find that the drama ZWO ITWA has the most complaints. i.e. 24.8% of complaints in the six books. The drama VHD LU FUKULA also has a high number of complaints i.e. 20.8% of all the complaints. In the analysis of complaints in selected Tshivenda dramas, eight strategies were considered. It frequently happened that more than one strategy was used in individual complaints. On average, 2.1 to 1.7 strategies appear in a complaint with an average of 1.9 strategies per complaint. With regard to the analysis of individual strategies in all books, we find that indirect accusation has the highest frequency i.e. 35.7%. This refers to an accusation in which the complainer wants to find out whether the hearer may be the potential agent of the complaint. Thus, the complainer does not directly accuse the hearer of the complaint. The study also reveals that characters like using strategies which are less direct and less face threatening. The strategies which appeared most frequently in of each book are annoyance, indirect accusation, ill consequences and explicit blame on behaviour (action). When we consider the total number of responses, which have been used in all the dramas, the study shows that ZWO ITWA has the most responses i.e. 22.6% of all the responses to the complaints in the six books. The drama VHD LU FUKULA also has a high frequency of responses i.e. 20.5% of all responses. Out of the six types of responses that were identified, question has the highest frequency of 37.3%. It also became clear in this study that some of the questions were used to object. The response, which also has high frequency, is contradiction. This response has a percentage of 21.2% of the total responses.
Forms of address in Tshivenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Matloga, Eric Matladi; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the use of address form in Tshivenda. Chapter one concentrates on aims of study, data collection and the organisation of study. Chapter two concentrates on various studies which deal with forms of address in different communities. They introduce forms of address as a routine between people who are embedded in the socio-cultural context of society. Chapter three deals with the informal use of forms of address. This includes names, pronouns and kinship terms. Different names deal with Tshivenda names and Non- Tshivenda names, and the way they are used in different context as a form of address. The controversial use of a pronoun as a form of address is also taken into account as well as kinship terms as a form of address in family where forms are applied in informal situation. [Where the place is unstructured and they are applied in the traditional way.] Chapter four investigates the formal use of address in a structured situation, this covers titles, occupations, special address forms and innovations. Titles are used in a more structured situation. They show social rank or official position such as Doctors, Professors etc. Occupational terms are connected with a person's job. These are terms like nurses, teachers etc. The special forms of address are used in certain occasions where the sender uses an unpopular form of address, uses new techniques and they are practised by elite class, who tries to change the status quo. Chapter five gives the main conclusions of the thesis.
Izincomo phakathi kwesiduna namabhinqa esiXhoseni
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Ralarala, Knowledge Monwabisi; Du Plessis, J. A.; Dlali, U. M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to investigate the speech act of complimenting in Xhosa. The study constitutes of six chapters with respective to execute this aim. Chapter one provides special details regarding the aim of this study, the method that has been followed, and the organisational structure of the study. Chapter two focuses on both speech act and politeness theories. The central notion relates to (a) the acts of locution, (b) illocution and (c) perlocution. These elements of speech acts entail the notion that utterances that are produced by participants in a conversation comprises of (a) the actual sounds and words uttered, and those words and sounds (b) are intended towards the fulfilment of the force or intention behind them and (c) the effect of that force is intended to the hearer. Although there are other related elements, this notion is prominent in this chapter. Chapter three examines speech acts of complimenting in Xhosa along with their responses. This examination is informed by various ideas from respective researchers. For an effective and successful investigation of speech acts, a guideline which serves as a base follows a model of ethnography of communication. Almost all these researchers are putting emphasis on this view. This chapter takes this issue further by exploring the differences in compliments and responses with reference to gender, along with other qualities that have been mentioned. The elements of the responses the principles, their nature, structure and appearance in general conversations with specific reference to complimenting, are other key properties examined in this chapter. Chapter four focuses on the functions of the compliments. For example, almost all the researchers in the field are in agreement that compliments serve to revitalize, establish or create or encourage solidarity. Although there are other functions relating to this speech act, such as replacing other conversational formulas, e.g. greetings, softening criticism, the function of solidarity is perceived to be central. Another area which receives attention is the structural qualities of the compliment, along with syntactic and lexical features. This analysis explores the syntactic categories that relate to this work, together with the formulaic nature of this speech act. In addition, the status and gender of the participants in an interaction, as informed by situations or friends who like to be complimented, are all matters that receive scrutiny in this chapter. Chapter five constitute the central part of the study. The differences in compliments and responses receive attention with the aim of establishing possible difference between compliments given by males and females. Chapter six is the last chapter, it presents the findings and conclusion of the study.
Mass nouns in Tshivenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-03) Siaga, Henry T.; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the mass nouns in Tshivenda. The specific mass nouns in each nominal class will then be investigated to see whether they have certain morphological and syntactic features which are different from count nouns. Chapter one is the introduction of this study. It describes the aim, organisation and method of the study. Chapter two is the overview of the literature on mass nouns. It gives overview of the most prominent words on mass nouns in general. Some of the prominent works on this alternation include the following: Pelletier (1979a, 1979b,); Ware (1979), Cartwright (1979), McCawley (1979) Chierchia (1982), Link (1983) and Eschenbach (1993). Chapter three investigates which nouns may be mass nouns, the purpose of the classification of nouns in wordnet, nominal classes in Tshivenda and the morphological and syntactic features of mass and count nouns. Chapter four is the conclusion of the study, the summary as well as investigation into the morphological, syntactic and semantic feature of plurality.
The meaning of the four basic tenses in Xhosa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1993) Nxopo, Mzimasi Calvin; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the meaning of the four basic tenses (viz. Present, Perfect, A-Past and Future tense) in Xhosa within the framework of the Reichenbachian Theory of English tenses. In dealing with points and directions Reichenbach was able to explain all of the tense forms (i.e. in English) in terms of three points: those of the event/ event time (E) and of speech/ utterance time (S) and a point of reference/ reference time (R). The point of reference is that with reference to which the direction of the point of event is fixed. The direction of the point of reference is, in turn, given with reference to the moment of speech.
Negation in Sesotho
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Malete, Elias Nyefolo; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
English Abstract: This research project examines the syntax of negative sentence constructions in Sesotho and explores implications of the empirical data on negation within the framework of the Minimalist Program. According to Minimalist Program, language consists of a lexicon and Computational System where the operations Merge and Move generate sets of structural descriptions, it is driven by the principle of economy, which entails that movement should take place only when necessary for the purpose of Case feature checking. It is also concerned with the expansion of syntactic structures in terms of X-bar theoretic properties, where functional category gives full categorical status. This project further considered the morphology of negation in Sesotho where Sesotho data is refined within the Lexeme-morpheme base morphology, where bound grammatical morphemes such as the negative morphemes in Sesotho are defined in terms of morphological spelling operations. Within these two theoretical frameworks, sentence constructions which realize negation by means of negative morphemes over a full range of tense, aspect and mood distinctions were examined, including sentence construction that realize negation in subordinate clauses as well as those that entail issues of topic and focus, and scope of negation. Constituent negation, with constituents such as subjects, objects and adjuncts is also investigated. Various ways of negating constituents in Sesotho were examined: they are cleft sentences, pseudo-cleft sentences, sentence construction with locative AgrS [ ho ] and sentence constructions with subject inversion as well as sentences where constituents are negated within the VP. All these methods were considered with regard to noncopulative and copulative verbs. The issue of focus which entails plain focus, restrictive and contrastive foci, the issue of topic, which entails stage topics, modified topics and multiple topics are investigated and interpreted within the Focus Structure theory, a theory which assigns focus structures to sentences of the language. Negative sentences are assigned two focus structure viz. main focus structure and the subordinate focus structure. Finally, this study also looks into the scope of negation in Sesotho, where negative criterion (Neg-criterion) stipulates various positions of negative morphemes or words which in turn determines the scope of negation. Scope of negation is also examined in terms of focus, with constituents such as NP's, NP Lac's and NP's in subordinate clauses.
Negative constructions in isiXhosa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-03) Jobela, Mthuthuzeli Todd; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims at the investigation of negation in IsiXhosa with the main emphasis on negative morphemes and negative constituents. This study exammes negative morphemes that effect negation m verbs such as copulative and non-copulative verbs in all moods and tenses. This investigation will take the Noun Phrase as the centre of focus. NP will be examined with both specified and unspecified noun as head. Chapter one deals with the brief overview of negation in syntax with special emphasis on negation as an inflectional category and on the structure of functional phrases. Chapter two investigate the negative morphemes in the different moods with different tenses. These moods will be considered with regard to copulative and non-copulative verbs. Secondly this chapter explores negative construction involving the copulative verb and its complements which include the NP, adjective, relative, PP with NGA and PP with na. Deficient verbs properties are explored. Chapter three aims at investigating the possibilities of putting different constituents of a sentence in the negative. These possibilities include subject inversion, clefting and etc. Modal structure theory is applied. Chapter four aims at summarizing the findings contained in the previous chapters.
The noun and the dictionary in Tshivenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Tshikota, Shumani Leonard; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The lemmatisation of nouns in African and Non-African language dictionaries is investigated with a view to account for the development of a theoretical framework of how nouns could be lemmatised in a Tshivenda monolingual dictionary. Within the African language dictionaries two traditions exist for lemmatisation of nouns: the stem or root system and the word system. Dictionaries belonging to the Nguni languages enter nouns according to the letter of the root or stem and this has been followed because of the presence of a preprefix in these langauges. Languages like Venda, Tsonga and Sotho usually enter nouns in the dictionary under the first letter of the prefix if present. In African languages the morphological and syntactic category noun is exactly the same. With syntax and morphology the category noun is presented by the root or stem of the noun with prefixes added as inherent semantic and grammatical features of such nouns. So, the exact entry in a dictionary has to be considered form the view point of the syntactic and morphological category only. Taking these considerations into account a case can be made for the treatment of nouns in dictionaries. In a Tshivenda monolingual dictionary nouns are entered as head of the noun phrases (NPs); thus indicating the syntactic operation of the noun outside the context of a sentence. In other instances the syntactic operations are indicated within the context of a sentence and this information is indicated within a dictionary implicitly or covertly by means of illustrative examples. Nouns in these dictionaries may appear with two and or more than two arguments. Semantically, the noun Halwa in a Tshivenda monolingual dictionary may have two arguments: firstly it may mean "an intoxicating drink" and secondly it may refer to "a container for holding beer". Thus the noun in African language dictionaries, Tshivenda in particular, could be represented syntactically morphologically and semantically.
Oral proficiency in Xhosa as a second language
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1900) Gxilishe, David Sandile; Du Plessis, J. A.; Botha, J. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of African Langauges.
Politeness theory and requests in Xhosa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-04) Dlali, Mawande,1965-; Du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates how politeness may be employed in requests in Xhosa. While numerous studies on speech act have been conducted in different languages, the investigation of speech acts in African Languages, particularly Xhosa, shows no such progress. This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the notions of politeness in requests as perceived among the Xhosas. With the study of speech acts, two instances of meaning have been identified. In the first meaning a speaker utters a sentence and means exactly and literally what he says. In the second meaning the speaker utters a sentence with an additional illocution with a different prepositional content. It has been established that various meanings playa role in the understanding of indirect requests. This finding is based on the theory of Brown and Levinson's (1987) face work of politeness. Scholars like Clark and Schunk (1980) argue that the politeness of response is governed by the attentiveness hypothesis which states that the more attentive the hearer is to all aspects of the speaker's request, within reason, the more polite he is. One of the most common motivations for politeness is a request. Brown and Levinson (1987) define politeness as the manifestation of respect for and recognition of another's face. They delineate face into two components: negative face and positive face. Positive face is the way a person wants to be regarded, admired, or approved by others and to be treated as a friend. On the other hand, negative face is the person's desire not to be imposed on by other people. A request threatens face in the sense that it imposes on the hearer, that is why in some cases requests call for mitigation, so as to compensate for their impositive effect on the hearer. Various subcategories of requests within which negative politeness may appear have been established, as well as the various ways in which these subcategories of requests may be linguistically expressed in Xhosa. Three distribution types of request categories with negative politeness have been found: high frequency, No very regular and negligible. Requests with the highest frequency may be divided into three subcategories: compliance; information; and action. These subcategories demand non-threatening strategies: compliance demands obedience, action demand doing things with a desired result, and information demands knowledge from a person. These three are thus face-threatening acts, which demand respect for the hearer's antonomy. Such requests may seriously threaten the hearer's negative face. If no politeness strategy is attempted, these requests will be viewed as most threatening acts. The ten negative politeness strategies of Brown and Levinson did not apply to Xhosa because they have been developed for a Western language. In the place of these strategies, it has been found that negative politeness may be expressed in Xhosa through certain subcategories as above, but also through certain pragmatic functions by means of which negative politeness may be applied to avert a face-threatening act. Brown and Levinson (1987) list fifteen positive politeness strategies. In the case of the four Xhosa books, which were analyzed, only eight strategies for positive politeness were found. These strategies can be divided into two groups: high frequency and negligible. The most regular strategies are: seek agreement, give or ask for reasons, address forms, presupposition, and those, which include both speaker and hearer. An explanation for the high frequency of these strategies is to be found within positive politeness. Positive politeness forms emphasize closeness between speaker and hearer and it can be seen as a solidarity strategy. Thus, a face saving act, which is concerned with the person's positive face, will show solidarity.

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