Research Articles (African Languages)
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Ideophones as linguistic "rebels" : the extra-systematicity of ideophones in Xhosa (part 1)
(Institute of Oriental Studies of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, 2020)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper contributes to the study of structural distinctiveness of the category of ideophony. The author analyzes the extent to which Xhosa ideophones exhibit the so-called extra-systematic properties, ... -
Reclaiming the space for storytelling in Ugandan primary schools
(Stellenbosch University, 2019)The purpose of this article is to highlight teachers’ beliefs and practices towards storytelling in the mother tongue in Ugandan rural classrooms and the effect this could have on efforts to promote reading, such as the ... -
The coordinators i and z in Polish : a cognitive-typological approach (Part 2)
(De Gruyter Open, 2017)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Developed within the frame of cognitive and typological linguistics, the present study examines the taxonomical status of the lexemes i and z in Polish. To achieve this aim, the author analyzes the ... -
Dative applicative elements in Arusa (Maa) : a canonical approach to the argument-adjunct distinction
(Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University, 2019)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present paper analyzes the degree of the argumenthood or adjuncthood of elements licensed by the dative applicative (DA) construction in Arusa within a canonical approach to the argument-adjunct ... -
The curse of poverty and marginalisation in language development : the case of Khoisan languages of Botswana
(Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University, 2019)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Khoisan languages are spoken by tiny and remote-dwelling communities of Botswana, the members of which are characterised by socio-economic hardships and illiteracy in their own languages and in general. ... -
From African languages to an African perspective on language : the work and research of Prof. Marianna W. Visser
(Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University, 2019)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper discusses the contribution of Prof. Marianna W. Visser to African linguistics. I present the academic and professional trajectory of Prof. Visser and her research achievements, focusing on ... -
A pseudo-consecutive non-canonical serial verb construction in isiXhosa
(Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University, 2018)This snippet contributes to the study of less canonical Serial Verb Constructions (SVCs) of a multi-clausal consecutive origin. The author demonstrates that the BUYA gram in isiXhosa constitutes an example of a pseudo-consecutive ... -
The exotic nature of ideophones – from Khoekhoe to Xhosa
(University of Stellenbosch, Department of General Linguistics, 2017)The present paper analyzes the exoticness of Khoekhoe-sourced ideophones as a possible factor that stimulated the introduction of certain phonological novelties to the sound system of Xhosa. Having analyzed Khoekhoe-sourced ... -
The coordinators i and z in Polish : a cognitive-typological approach (PART 1)
(De Gruyter Open, 2017)Developed within the frame of cognitive and typological linguistics, the present study examines the taxonomical status of the lexemes i and z in Polish. To achieve this aim, the author analyzes the compliance of the two ... -
The EK construction in Xhosa : a cognitive account
(2017-11-29)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Developed within the frame of cognitive linguistics, this paper argues that the entire syntactic and semantic profile of the EK gram can be unified and viewed as coherent by modeling it as a map of ... -
Exploring a forward design dimension in the design of school-based Kiswahili teaching syllabi for primary schools in Uganda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In Uganda, delays in teaching and learning of Kiswahili in primary schools have been experienced since their establishment in the education systems in the 1920s. At present, the language-in-education ... -
Cognate objects of weather verbs in African languages of South Africa – from synchronic variation to a grammaticalization path
(Stellenbosch University, Department of Linguistics, 2017)The authors argue that the synchronic variation of cognate objects of weather verbs exhibited in six African languages of South Africa (Sepedi, Sesotho, Tshivenda, isiXhosa, Xitsonga, and isiZulu) has a diachronic explanation, ... -
Left dislocation : an exploration in linguistic typology
(University of Stellenbosch, Department of General Linguistics, 2016)No abstract available -
Cartography of Short yiqtol in Biblical Hebrew
(Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, 2016)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper provides a dynamic (i.e. cognitive, typological and grammaticalization driven) analysis of short yiqtol in Biblical Hebrew. The author argues that short yiqtol can be understood as a ... -
To resume or not to resume : some remarks on resumption in left dislocation constructions in Polish, and its relevance for Biblical Hebrew
(Stellenbosch University, Department of General Linguistics, 2016)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present paper analyzes the use of resumption in LD constructions in Polish. The evidence indicates that, in various cases, resumption is not obligatory in Polish. In fact, Polish LD constructions omit ... -
The mosaic evolution of left dislocation in Xhosa
(Stellenbosch University, Department of General Linguistics, 2016)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper demonstrates that the status of Clitic LD in Xhosa is a result of the mosaic evolution of Xhosa grammar. It emerges as an accumulation and combination of two more individual, distinct and, at ... -
A general lexicographic model for a typological variety of dictionaries in African languages
(Bureau of the WAT, 2014)So far, there have been few descriptions on creating structures capable of storing lexicographic data, ISO 24613:2008 being one of the latest. Another one is by Spohr (2012), who designs a multifunctional lexical resource ... -
Post-apartheid representations of youth in the Zulu novel "Kungasa ngifile"
(AOSIS Publishing, 2004-07-31)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this article representation of black African youth in the Zulu novel “Kungasa ngifile” is examined. The view is presented that the novel, though seeming to be politically neutral, deals with images ... -
The collective voice in The Madonna of Excelsior : narrating transformative possibilities
(AOSIS Publishing, 2006-06-30)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The collective voice in the novel, “The Madonna of Excelsior” (2002), reveals that crossing of borders is a process characterised by cultural contact that reduces cultural polarisation and makes social ... -
Zenobia's story : how a victim of abuse uses isiXhosa to account for her actions
(AOSIS Publishing, 2008-07-25)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This article explores the theoretical work in articulating the motivations and conditions for account-giving in isiXhosa in relation to image restoration. The account-making process, according to Warren ...
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