Browsing by Author "Simpson, Gerda E."
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- Item'n Taalkundige en leksikografiese perspektief op troeteltaal in Afrikaans(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Simpson, Gerda E.; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus in this paper is on terms of endearment, and initially linking it with love, affection and care, which prominently feature in the oldest ancient languages. Users of dictionaries are motivated by finding and understanding the unbelievable variety of words in languages. In many faiths/religions people give credence to a perception that love and understanding of one another's needs and aspirations form the true basis of successful interpersonal relationships but as yet no consensus has been reached. The data was empirically collected through personal conversations with local people, including children, the young generation, parents and grandparents, staff of banks, supermarkets and bookshops. A distinction is made between terms generally used for kids, adults, men and women according to context in usage and the meanings thereof as reported by respondents, varying from seriously meant (dearest), to affectionate (darling, beloved) to mere superficial friendship (pal, love). As the focus was on Afrikaans which is the home language of the most residents in the Western Cape, according to information received from Statistics South Africa, and the knowledge as well as present usage of the word 'troetel' as a term of endearment, the English equivalents and additional similar terms are not of importance here. The impression is, however, that a special nuance of emotion is attached to the usage of the mentioned examples. Dictionaries should include terms of endearment known in the colloquial language at the time of their compilation and must be reliable sources of information regarding vocabulary, ways to address people and the varying degrees of communication in the wide distinguishable variety of contexts.