Academic literature on the topic 'Northern Sotho language Northern Sotho language'

This article gives an overview of the marking of polar and constituent questions in Northern Sotho, a Bantu language of South Africa. It thereby provides a contribution to the typological investigation of sentence types in the world’s languages. As will be shown, Northern Sotho follows cross-linguistic tendencies in marking interrogative sentences: It uses intonation as main indicator in polar questions and question words as main indicator in constituent questions. Nevertheless, it also shows interesting language-specific variation, e.g. with respect to the location of raised intonation in polar questions, the presence of two pragmatically distinct question particles in polar questions, or a split in the formation of constituent questions based on the grammatical function of the questioned constituent.

This paper strives to make a case for the use of Northern Sotho as an indigenous official language in the post-apartheid South Africa. It contends that though Northern Sotho is constitutionally accorded the status of an official language in the new South Africa, it is marginalised in its practical everyday use as other languages still dominate it. The paper utilised Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo Province as a case study that is grounded on the Qualitative research approach. It is, furthermore, underpinned by Ethnolinguistic Vitality and Afrocentric theoretical assumptions. Sampled data was collected by interviewing 24 Northern Sotho participants in the Municipality and was thematically analysed through the transcription of those interviews. The findings revealed that Northern Sotho does not enjoy the status that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) has granted it. It recommends that this constitutional travesty be rectified by implementing the existing Language Policies as it erodes the identity of the marginalised speakers of the language.

Die Hauptthese dieser Dissertation ist, dass Nord-Sotho keinen obligatorischen Gebrauch von grammatischen Mitteln zur Markierung von Fokus macht, weder in der Syntax noch in der Prosodie oder Morphologie. Trotzdem strukturiert diese Sprache eine Äußerung nach informationsstrukturellen Aspekten. Konstituenten, die im Diskurs gegeben sind, werden entweder getilgt, pronominalisiert oder an den rechten oder linken Satzrand versetzt. Diese (morpho-)syntaktischen Prozesse wirken so zusammen, dass die fokussierte Konstituente oft final in ihrem Teilsatz erscheint. Obwohl die finale Position keine designierte Fokusposition ist, ist das Wissen um diese Tendenz doch entscheidend für das Verständnis einer morphologischen Alternation, die in Nord-Sotho am Verb erscheint und die in der Literatur im Zusammenhang mit Fokus diskutiert wurde. Obwohl also ein direkter grammatischer Ausdruck von formaler F(okus)-Markierung im Nord-Sotho fehlt, ist F-Markierung trotzdem entscheidend für die Grammatik dieser Sprache: Fokussierte logische Subjekte können nicht in kanonischer präverbaler Position erscheinen. Sie erscheinen stattdessen entweder postverbal oder in einem Spaltsatz, abhängig von der Valenz des Verbs. Obwohl Nord-Sotho bei Objekten im Gebrauch von Spaltsätzen eine Korrespondenz von komplexer Form mit komplexer Bedeutung zeigt, gilt diese Korrespondenz nicht für logische Subjekte. Die vorliegende Dissertation modelliert die oben genannten Ergebnisse im theoretischen Rahmen der Optimalitätstheorie (OT). Syntaktischer in situ Fokus und die Abwesenheit von prosodischer Fokusmarkierung können mit unkontroversen Beschränkungen erfasst werden. Für die Ungrammatikaliät fokussierter logischer Subjekte in präverbaler Position schlägt die vorliegende Arbeit die Modifizierung einer in der Literatur vorhandenen Beschränkung vor, die in Nord-Sotho von entscheidener Bedeutung ist. Die Form-Bedeutungs-Korrespondenz wird, wie andere Phänomene pragmatischer Arbeitsteilung auch, innerhalb der schwach bidirektionalen Optimalitätstheorie behandelt.

Thesis (M.A.)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.
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.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing het as doelstelling die ondersoek van die adjektief in Noord-Sotho. Die bevindinge van die navorsing dui daarop dat adjektiewe in Noord-Sotho 'n geslote klas vorm wat morfologies gemerk word deur 'n naamwoordklasprefiks. Die drie semantiese kategorieë van adjektiewe wat in die studie erken word sluit in deskriptiewe, kwantitatiewe en kleur adjektiewe. Hoofstuk Een vorm die inleiding van die studie. Die verskillende sub-afdelings van die hoofstuk gee die doelstelling van die studie, asook 'n oorsig van die navorsingsmetode, organisasie van die studie, belangrike definisies en konsepte en behandel die afleiding van adjektiewe in Noord-Sotho. Hoofstuk Twee fokus op die semantiese adjektiewe. Semantiek hou verband met die studie van woorde se oorsprong, veranderinge en betekenisse. Attributiewe (prenominale) adjektiewe neig om redelik permanente eienskappe aan te dui, terwyl predikatiewe adjektiewe die korresponderende tydelike eienskappe aandui, soos getoon in die volgende voorbeelde in Engels: (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) Adjektiewe kan in vergelykende en uitroepkonstruksies verskyn. Twee tipes adjektiewe kan ook verskil van mekaar in die opsig dat die een tipe wat verandering behels nie 'n graad bepaler of vergelykende bepaler neem nie, terwyl die ander wat nie verandering behels nie met enige van hierdie bepalers kan verskyn. Beskou die volgende voorbeelde in Engels: (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 Hoofstuk Drie hou verband met die vorming en struktuur van adjektiewe in Noord- Sotho. Hierdie hoofstuk stel'n wye reekswoordbou-elementebekendwat gebruik word om qie adjektiefstruktuur te skep. Besondere aandag word gegee aan die adjektiefprefikse, adjektiefstamme en adjektiefsuffikse wat die konstituent elemente van die I adjektief is. Slegs adjektiefstamme is dupliseerbaar, en het gewoonlik 'n geïntensifeerde betekenis. Dit volg dat die adjektiefprefikse en -suffikse in terme van hulle posisie en funksie nie geredupliseer kan word nie. Daar word ook ondersoek ingestel na die beperkings ten opsigte van die gebruik van adjektiewe. Die hoofoorwegings is die aard van woordvormingsprosesseen die wyse waarop woordvorming in interaksie is met die sintaksis, semantiek en die leksikon. Hoofstuk Vier ondersoek die deskriptiewe possessief in Noord-Sotho volledig. Ter wille van duidelikheid: geen possessiewe wat letterlike semantiese besit aandui word in hierdie hoofstuk as relevant beskou nie aangesien deskriptiewe possessiewe, maar nie letterlike besitaanduidende possessiewe nie, as kategorie van semantiese adjektiewe beskou word. In hierdie hoofstuk word ook verskillende aspekte bespreek wat die semantiese adjektief karakteriseer. Hoofstuk Vyf ondersoek die nominale relatief klous. Die kern is altyd 'n naamwoord in al die nominale relatiefklouse. Die matriks- en die relatiefklouse word bespreek onder die klasse van fisiese kenmerke, sielkundige kenmerke, gewoontes, vaardighede, smake, en natuurlike verskynsels. Die verspreiding van 'n relatief word ook aangedui. Aandag word gevestig op die komplement van 'n naamwoord en posisie in die klous. Hoofstuk Ses is die samevatting van die studie waarin die belangrikste bevindings aan die orde gestel word.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the phonological process of Nasal Strengthening in Northern Sotho. It sets out to employ two phonological models to describe the phenomenon in order to determine which model presents the most credible explanation for the phenomenon. The core elements of a classical linear model, the so called SPE model of Transformational Generative (TG) phonology is described and applied to the phenomenon. It is indicated that a number of phonological rules are actually involved in the process as a whole. It is argued that the following rules are in fact involved in the generation of appropriate phonetic outputs: a strengthening rule, a homorganic nasal assimilation rule and a nasal deletion rule. The previously inexplicable /k'/ insertion rule is shown to be nothing more than part of a more general process of glottal stop strengthening. This is indeed a new view with respect to the traditional stance on "vowel strengthening." Although the majority of the sound changes may be accounted for within a TG model, the formalism of the strengthening rule itself unfortunately does not reflect any phonetic explanation for the phenomenon. A second, non-linear, phonological model, i.e. a Feature Geometry model (FG) is described and applied to the same phenomenon. It appears that although the more contemporary FG model presents innovative ideas on the structure of phonological representations and processes, it can not account for the strengthening of voiced fricatives at all. At the most this model seems to be able only to account for voiceless fricatives being strengthened to voiced obstruents. It is clear that none of the models can present a complete and credible account of Nasal Strengthening in Northern Sotho.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie focus op die proses van Nasaalversterking in Noord Sotho. Twee fonologiese modelle word gebruik in die analise van die verskynsel ten einde te bepaal welke model die mees geskik is om 'n geloofwaardige verklaring aan te bied. Die hoofelemente van 'n lineere Transformasioneel Generatiewe (TG) model word beskryf en toegepas in Noord Sotho. Daar word aangetoon dat die proses uit 'n verskeidenheid verwante prosesse bestaan en daar word geargumenteer dat die volgende reels almal 'n rol speel: "n verstekingsreel, 'n homorgane assimilasiereel en 'n nasaaldelesiereel. 'n Vorige onverklaarbare Ik.'/ invoegingsreel word geherinterpreteer as 'n glottale stop versterkingsreel wat nuwe verduidelikings bied vir die sg versterking van vokale. Alhoewel die meeste van die klankwisselinge verantwoord kan word binne 'n TG model, bied die format van die versterkingsreel ongelukkig geen fonetiese motivering vir die proses aan me. 'n Tweede model, die sg Kenmerkgeometrie (KG), is vervolgens beskryf en toegepas. Dit het heel gou geblyk dat hierdie model, ten spyte van baie innovasies, nie in staat is om die versterking van sternhebbende frikatiewe te verantwoord nie. Dit kon slegs 'n sinvolle beskrywing van die versterking van stemlose frikatiewe moontlik maak. Uit hierdie studie blyk dit dat nie een van die twee modelle wat aangewend is 'n volledige en geloofwaardige beskrywing van die verskynsel van Nasaalversterking in Noord Sotho kan aanbied nie.

Thesis (M. A. (Translation and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016
This study reveals that language dynamisms affect the compilation of Northern Sotho – English bilingual dictionaries. In this regard, the study shows that the role of translation equivalence cannot be taken for granted. To fully grasp what translation equivalence entails, the study compared formal equivalence with dynamic equivalence. Although there are merits in adopting foreign terms and concepts, the study investigates the problem lexicographers and terminologists of English–Northern Sotho or Northern Sotho–English bilingual dictionaries encounter and suggests possible solutions. Different strategies and procedures for dealing with non-equivalence between the source and target languages are also discussed. Lastly, the study recommends that language dynamism is inevitable if Northern Sotho is to thrive as one of the functional languages in the world. The consequences of shunning dynamism are dire as this might lead to language death.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is a narration of personal experiences of the Northern Sotho people and their way of doing their activities. The Northern Sotho people and their ways of doing things have been characterized by a proliferation of different ways of living governance. This living governance is by people who are a distance from the Northern Sotho way of living that has been influenced by day to day changes of technology and the style of living, whereby people can do anything to can fit in the current lifestyle. The problem experienced in relation to accounts is how accounts impact on us and visa versa. The Northern Sotho narration dates back from the pre-colonial, colonial and apartheid era. These linear stages of governance have had an influence in the transformation of the Northern Sotho. This transformation has seen a delusion of the original Northern Sotho discourses. A mixture of different cultures in the process of transformation has also characterized this, where the Northern Sotho people have adopted other tribes’ norms and values; in the process losing their own original identity. Other tribes have also lost their original ways of doing things by absorbing Northern Sotho norms and values. The findings of research will determine how difficult it is to transform original cultures to the most dominant culture of today, which is more westernized. People will analyze the findings influential in doing self-introspection, which will assist in determining oneself. The recommendation that could be given would be that one need to look back at the importance of cultural values from where he or she comes and to make it fit into today’s life as this will prevent uncertainties and assist in building the current and next generation’s future.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: gemeenskap en hul manier om met hul aktiwiteite te handel. Die Noord-Sotho gemeenskap en hul manier om dinge te handel word gekenmerk deur ‘n vinnige toename in die diverse invloede deur mense wat verskillende lewenswyse as hul eie het. Hierdie lewenwyse word gekenmerk deur die vinnige ontwikkelende tegnologie en lewenstyl waarvolgens mense enigiets kan doen om in die hedendaagse maniere om dinge te doen in te pas. Ondervindinge in verhouding met die beskrywings is hoe die beskrywings ons beinvloed en andersom. Die Noord Sotho vertelling is gedateer vanaf die prekoloniale-, koloniale-, apartheid- en pos-apartheid eras. Hierdie liniere fases van magsuitoefening het ‘n invloed gehad in die transformasie van die Noord Sotho. Hierdie transformasie het gesien tot die verkeerde ideé van die oorspronklike kommunikasies van Noord-Sotho lewenswyse. ‘n Mengsel van verskillende kulture in die proses van transformasie het ook hierdeur kenmerk, waar die Noord Sotho bevolking ander stamme se norme en waardes aangeneem het en sodoende hul oorspronklike identiteit verloor het. Ander stamme het ook hul oorspronklike manier om hul dinge te doen verloor deur dat hulle norme en waarders van die Noord –Sotho geabsobeer het. Die navorsings bevindinge sal bepaal hoe moeilik dit is om suiwer kulture te omvorm tot die mees dominante hedendaagse kultuur wat meer verwesters is. Mense sal die bevindinge analiseer wat op instrospeksie impakteer en selfbeeld bepaal. Die aanbeiling is dat die historiese belangrikheid van die kulturele waardes in ag geneem moet word as die basis waar ons vandaan kom en dat ons dit in werking moet stel in die hedendaagse lewe. Dit sal onsekerhede voorkom en ook help om die toekoms van die huidige en toekomstige generasies te bou.
KAKARETŠO: Ke kanego ka ga bophelo bja batho ba Sesotho sa Leboa le mediro ya bona. Mekgwa le mediro yeo e akaretšago bophelo ka bophara bja setšo sa Leboa e hweditšwe ke mebušo yeo e bušago. Mebušo yeo le yona e hweditšwe ke diphetogo tša tšatši ka tšatši tša setekiniki le bophelo bja selehono moo batho ba lekanago ka maatla go ka ikhwetša ba kgona go phela maemong a selehono. Ditlhalošo tša setšo sa Leboa di balelwa go tloga mehleng ya pele ga koloni, ka nako ya kgatelelo le ka morago ga kgatelelo. Nakong tše ka moka tša go fapafapana, mebušo ya gona e bile le khuetšo e kgolo setšong sa leboa. Go lekana ga ditšo tša go fapafapana diphetogong setšong le gona go amile dipheto setšong sa batho ba Leboa gomme ba thoma go loba boitšhupo bja botšo. Merafe e mengwe le yona e lahlegetšwe ke botšo ka go latela ditlwaedi le mekgwa ya Sesotho sa Leboa. Go ya ka dinyakišišo, go nale sešupo sa gore ga go bonolo go ka fetoga setšong sa bogologolo go fetogela go setšo sa sebjale seo se tibilego ka mekgwa ya sekgowa. Batho ba tla lebeledišiša ditšhupetšo tšeo di nago le khuetšo ya go inyaka le go inyakišiša, e lego seo se tla thušago motho gore a te tsebe. Kakanyo yeo e ka tlišago phetogo ke ge go ka lebelelwa morago botsong bja setšo. Go lebelelwe ka moo se bego se hlomphiwa ka gona e bile se latelelwa gomme go be le tlhotleletšo ya gore se šomišwe bophelong bja selehono. Tlhotleletšo ye e ka thibela dipelaelo le go thuša go aga bokamoso bja meloko ya lehono le yeo e sa tlago.

Thesis (M.A.) --University of Limpopo, 2013
Most people feel scared and ashamed when practising their rituals and using the relevant language. The aim of this study is to be an eye opener to make people to change their behaviour and attitude. They should be free to perform their rituals with pride and dignity and regard them as valuable. Qualitative method was used to gather the information and data in this research in which interviews were conducted. Males and females were visited at their homes from villages around Mamehlabe, Ngwanallela, gaSebotse, gaMashashane and only few were quoted. Their responses were transparent in a way that it is clear that the Northern Sotho people have their own way of using language and performing rituals. It is recommended that in the performance of rituals and language usage, a full explanation is needed to accumulate practical implementation. The society at large need to be educated in order to transfer the information to the younger generation.

South Africa is a multi-lingual country with a population of about 40.5 million people. South Africa has more official languages at a national level than any other country in the world. Over and above English and Afrikaans, the eleven official languages include the indigenous languages: Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele, Tsonga, and Venda (Pretorius & Bosch, 2003). Figure 1 depicts the breakdown of the South African official languages as mother tongues for South African citizens. Although English ranks fifth (9%) as a mother tongue, there is a tendency among national leaders, politicians, business people, and officials to use English more frequently than any of the other languages. In a national survey on language use and language interaction conducted by the Pan South African Language Board (Language Use and Board Interaction in South Africa, 2000), only 22% of the respondents indicated that they fully understand speeches and statements made in English, while 19% indicated that they seldom understand information conveyed in English. The rate of electrification in South African is 66.1%. The total number of people with access to electricity is 28.3 million, and the total number of people without access to electricity is 14.5 million (International Energy Agency, 2002). Although the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” is narrowing, a significant portion of the South African population is still without the basic amenities of life. This unique environment sets the tone for a creative research agenda for HCI researchers and practitioners in South Africa.