Academic literature on the topic 'Venda language - Grammar'

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013
The study focuses on the lemmatization of lexical items in Tshivenḓa. It was conducted by reviewing selected Tshivenḓa dictionaries and the lexical items investigated were nouns, locatives, verbs and adjectives. The analysis looked at the approaches used in the macro- and micro-structural treatment of these important lexical items in dictionaries. The study also covered the treatment of the morphological, syntactical and semantic aspects of these lexical items in Tshivenḓa. This research ended with recommendations that will help dictionary compilers to overcome challenges they experience when lemmatizing nouns, locatives, verbs and adjectives.

(M. A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2015
Ngudo ino yo sumbedza uri ho shumiswa mirero na maidioma manzhi kha u bvukulula vhuvha na nzulele ya vhafumakadzi kha maṅwalwa a Ṋetshivhuyu, M.J. na Sigogo, N.E. Ngudo yo tumbula uri kanzhi mirero na maidioma zwi shumiswa kha u tsikeledza vhafumakadzi fhethu hunzhi: mishumoni, mbinganoni, lufunoni na kha mavhusele. Tsikeledzo iyi i vha ya muhumbulo khathihi na ya ṋamani. Naho zwo ralo, ngudo yo wana uri hu na huṅwe hu si gathi hune mirero na maidioma zwa ṱuṱuwedza vhutshilo havhuḓi kha vhafumakadzi. Magumoni azwo, ngudo i themendela uri vhafumakadzi vha fanela u farwa zwavhuḓi, nge vha vha vhathu u fana na vhanna.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: 1.1 AIM OF THE RESEARCH Relational nouns are those nouns which have the characteristic of being related in some other way. These nouns also show us that there is always equality and inequality in status amongst the people. It is in this research where I am going to show this difference amongst tshivenda nouns. At the end of this study tshivenda relational nouns, with the involvement of vertical relations of dependency and horizontal relations with no dependency, will be explained. Focus on this issue will be paid to different kinship terms with dependency and no dependency. 1.2. ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY Chapter 2 is going to focus on the tshivenda relational nouns. In this chapter vertical relations of dependency and horizontal relations with no dependency will be clearly explained. Kinship terms and non-kinship terms are also going to be illustrated. In the illustration of non-kinship terms, different situations in which they occur are also given. Venda antonyms and synonyms as words that occur in horizontal relations with no dependency are distinguished and classified. Chapter 3 will basically be doing with the kikinship terms. Anthropological views on kinship will also be looked at. Anthropologists Radcliffe – Brown and Fortes give their different views on the concept of kinship. This chapter goes further by showing the linquistic views on kinship. Here Doodenough comes with two relationships that lead to lineal descent. Lounsburry also shows the structural analysis of lexical set of covers and partitions a semantic field. The chapter proceeds by defining marriage and also shows how the Vhavenda boys choose their partners, pay lobola and marry. A Venda lineal descent has also been illustrated. Different generations, from the fourth ascending generation to the third descending generation are explained. Chapter 4 will be showing the outcome of the research. This will be based on chapters 2 and 3.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines data from advice-giving in Tshivenda relating to pragmatic theorist's argument that every human interaction, to a large extent carries with it an element of threatening to one or both participant's face. The speech act of politeness has been identified as one of the most effective speech acts to be employed in giving as well as soliciting advice. Every speech acts is influenced by contextual, cultural and many other background factors associated to age, gender and rank which contribute towards how a speech is composed. The issues relating to the theory of politeness prompted this study on the extent to which politeness plays a role in giving advice in an educational context of Tshivenda speaking learners. The study has employed Brown and Levinson's theory of politeness as a universal phenomenon against the findings of my data, in that universality of these theorists does not quite fit with this study. In this study, politeness in Tshivenda school context has demonstrated that it has been employed as a strategy for encoding distance between speaker and the solicitor. The purpose of advising teachers and students through politeness behavior is to mitigate face and to create a favourable context anticipated by the solicitor.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek data van adviesgewing in Tshivenda in verband tot die pragmatiekteoretikus se argument dat elke menslike interaksie tot 'n groot mate daarmee saamdra 'n element van bedreiging vir een of beide deelnemers se gesig ('face'). Die spraakhandeling van beleefdheid is geïdentifiseer as een van die mees effektiewe spraakhandelinge wat gebruik word in die gee en vra van advies. Elke spraakhandeling word beïnvloed deur kontekstuele kulturele en talle ander agtergrondfaktore wat verband hou met ouderdom, gender, en rang, wat bydra tot die kernposisie van die spraakhandeling. Die vraagstukke rakende die teorie van beleefdheid het hierdie studie gemotiveer, wat handelaar die mate waartoe beleefdheid 'n rol speel in adviesgewing in Tshivenda in opvoedkundige kontekste deur leerders. Die studie het Brown en Levinson se teorie van beleefdheid aangewend en geevalueer teenoor die bevindinge van die data van Tshivenda. Daar is bevind dat die universaliteits-aansprake van Brown en Levinson nie volledig strook met die data uit Tshivenda nie. In hierdie studie, het beleefdheid in Tshivenda in skoolkontekste gedemonstreer dat dit ingespan word om afstand te kodeer tussen spreker en hoorder. Die doel van adviesgewing aan onderwysers en leerders deur beleefdheidsgedrag is om gesig te verminder en om 'n gunstige konteks te skep, soos geantisipeer deur die adviesvraer.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on two phonological processes occurring in Venda, i.e. on palatalization and labialization. Two phonological models are applied to describe these phenomena: a traditional (linear) phonological model, the Transformational Generative model of Chomsky and Halle (1968), and a non-linear Feature Geometry model of Clements (1985). This was done in order to ascertain which model would be more effective in its coverage of these sound changes. The core concepts of each model were described and the sound system of Venda was analysed in terms of distinctive features. The application of the two models led to the conclusion that a linearly structured model seem to be more effective to account for both these phenomena in Venda than its nonlinear counterpart.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op twee fonologiese prosesse in Venda, tewete palatalisasie en labialisasie. Twee fonologie modelle word toegepas om hierdie verskynsels mee te beskryf: 'n tradisionele liniêre model, die sg Transformasioneel Generatiewe model van Chomsky an Halle (1968), en 'n nie-liniêre model van Clements (1985). Die doel hiermee was om te bepaal welke model hierdie verskynsels die beste kan beskryf. Die hoofkomponente van elke model is vireers bespreek waarna die klanke van Venda ontleed is in terme van distinktiewe kenmerke. Uit die toepassing van die twee modelle het dit duidelik geblyk dat die liniêre model "n veel beter beskrywing moontlik maak van die verskynsels as die meer kontemporêre nie-liniêre model.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates how gratitude expressions may be expressed in Tshivenda. Studies on the expressions of gratitude have been conducted in various languages. Politeness is a pragmatic mechanism in which a variety of structures work together according to the speaker's intention of achieving smooth communication. Speech acts on the other hand is the same as an illocutionary act (intention of the sender). The same world can be used to perform different speech acts. The findings in this study is based on situations in which gratitude is expressed in response to receiving a reward, gift, favour, service and compliment (Eisentein and Bodman 1986). Gratitude is expressed when a person benefits from another person. In this study the data shows consistent use of expressions of gratitude within specific contexts. The results of this study are consistently interpretable in that the bigger the imposition on the giver, the more polite expressions are employed. Gratitude expressions have been analysed from gratitude functions. These functions include the following: Thanking, appreciations, liking, surprise, generosity, pleasure, indebtedness, relief, desire, caring, enthusiasm, reciprocate, reason, reassurance and compliment. In Tshivenda thanks, pleasure and appreciation have a high frequency and these gratitude functions show extreme politeness of the Venda people. There are also certain functions in Tshivenda which have a very low frequency, i.e. reason, desire, enthusiasm, reciprocate, generosity and caring. Therefore, they are not considered as possible gratitude functions in Tshivenda and are also unfamiliar in Tshivenda.
AFRRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek hoe uitdrukkings van dankbaarheid in Tshivenda uitgedruk kan word. Studies oor uitdrukkings van dankbaarheid is gedoen in verskeie tale. Beleefdheid is 'n pragmatiese meganisme waarin 'n verskeidenheid strukture saamwerk volgens die spreker se bedoeling om gladde kommunikasie te bewerkstellig. Spraakhandelinge, aan die anderkant, is dieselfde as illokusionere handelinge (bedoeling van die spreker). Dieselfde woord kan gebruik word om verskillende Spraakhandelinge uit te voer. Die bevindinge in hierdie studie is gebaseer op situasies waarin dankbaarheid uitgespreek word as antwoord op die ontvangs van 'n beloning, geskenk, guns en kompliment (Eisenstein en Bodman, 1986). Dankbaarheid word uitgedruk wanneer 'n persoon voordeel trek uit 'n ander persoon. In hierdie studie toon die data eenvormige gebruik van uitdrukkings van dankbaarheid binne spesifieke kontekste. Die resultate van hierdie studie is telkens interpreteerbaar soos volg: hoe grater die druk op die gewer, hoe meer beleefd is die dankbaarheids- uitdrukkings. Suike uitdrukkings is geanaliseer vanaf dankbaarheidsfunksies, naamlik bedanking, waardering, voorkeur, verrassing, vrygewigheid, plesier, skuld, verligting, begeerte, entoesiasme, wederkerigheid, rede, versekering en kompliment. In Tshivenda het bedanking, plesier en waardering 'n hoe frekwensie van voorkoms en hierdie dankbaarheidsuitdrukkings toon die besondere beleefdheid van die Venda. Daar is ook sekere funksies in Tshivenda wat 'n bate lae frekwensie het, naamlik rede, begeerte, entoesiasme, wederkerigheid, vrygewigheid en sorg. Dus kan hulle nie beskou word as moontlike dankbaarheidsfunksies in Tshivenda nie.

Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record.
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.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhandeling is verdeel in vyf hoofstukke: die eerste hoofstuk handeloor die doelstellings van die studie, die teoretiese raamwerk wat aanvaar is as uitgangspunt vir hierdie studie asook die organisasie van die verhandeling. Die tweede hoofstuk gee 'n oorsig oor die aannames van die leksikale semantiek met spesiale verwysing na die Generatiewe leksikon. Hoofstuk drie bestudeer die breek werkwoorde terwyl hoofstuk vier handeloor die buigwerkwoorde in Tshivenda. Hoofstuk vyf gee die konklusies van die studie. Met betrekking tot die breek werkwoorde in Tshivenda: hierdie werkwoorde is geklassifiseer in sewe subgroepe met verwysing na spesifieke semantiese kenmerke. Sintakties is die breek werkwoorde in Tshivenda grotendeels transitiewe werkwoorde terwyl 'n groot groep deelneem aan 'n transitieweintransitiewe alternasie met die suffikse [-I-/-w-]. Die breek werkwoorde kan verder ook reëlmatig voorkom met die iteratiewe suffikse (Vkan-Nkany-]. Meeste van die breek werkwoorde verskyn ook reëlmatig in twee ander alternasies nl. die possessiewe alternasie en die instrument-subjek alternasie. Die buig werkwoorde in Tshivenda is verdeel in vyf subgroepe na aanleiding van hulle semantiese kenmerke. Alle buig werkwoorde in Tshivenda is transitiewe werkwoorde maar dit is aangetoon dat hierdie werkwoorde in werklikheid ergatiewe werkwoorde is wat twee interne theta-rolle toeken. Hierdie werkwoorde kom ook reëlmatig voor in die possessief alternasie en die instrument-subjek alternasie. Beide die breek en buig werkwoorde is verder behandel binne die hoofkomponente van die Generatiewe leksikon, nl. Argument struktuur, gebeurtenis struktuur, leksikaal konseptueie paradigma en leksikaal erfenis struktuur.

Thesis (MA. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014
This research focuses on the use of derogative language in Tshivenḓa discourse. Derogative language is the language used in a society in showing critical or disrespectful attitude. In each and every society, people use derogative language or words in addressing different unacceptable behaviours. Derogative language is used in schools, churches, homes, to mention but a few places. There are factors compelling Vhavenḓa people to use derogative language. In this regard, one may mention social, political, and economic factors. For instance, hardworking people who have amassed wealth through their efforts are sometimes labelled scornful names such as madyavhathu (cannibals) and keepers of maḓuxwane (zombies). Ultimately, the use of derogatory language affects people socially and psychologically.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An apology in Tshivenda is offered when an individual has violated a social norm or want to restore any form of a complainable. When it is given, it serves as a remedial work, designed to smooth over any social disruption that was caused. Sometimes a person who is suppose to apologize may find reasons to minimize the degree of the offence. If the offence in question is big, a verbal apology may be insufficient to restore the damaged relationship. Male and female learners commit a lot of offences towards each other at school and they are obliged to apologize for such offences. In the process of apologizing, they are faced with a wide choice of strategies to choose from. In most cases, male learners have a tendency of giving an explanation to their offences. They do not always seek for a direct apology. Inthe acceptance of their offences, they opt for longer strategies to apologize. Males seem to be either proud or shy to ask for an apology from females. Female learners on the other hand, do not want to use longer strategies to apologize, but they ask for forgiveness immediately. It is not all the males who do not want to apologize directly to females, but there are others who apologize directly. They are the ones who take females as their equals and they also want to maintain a good relationship with them. The same applies with females, a minimal number of them use longer strategies to apologize. They do not use direct strategies. There are other strategies also useful in Tshivenda male and female learners, but their use is not so popular. Strategies like explicit acceptance of the blame and expression of self-deficiency are considered the least of other ones. An apology is usually influenced by the way the complainant shows his or her dissatisfaction. Male and female learners also differ with the way they complain. They use complaint strategies differently. Both male and female learners use direct accusation and indirect accusation extensively. But the difference comes by the fact that females are longer with their complaints than males. Females show their annoyance by involving more complaint strategies. Males do not take long to complain, they involve only a few strategies.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verskoning in Tshivenda word aangebied in geval waar 'n individu 'n sosiale reeloortree het. Wanneer dit aangebied word, dien dit as 'n remedie ontwerp om die sosiale onderbreking wat ontstaan het reg te siel. Soms sal die persoon wat veronderstel is om 'n verskoning aan te bied redes vind om die graad van die sosiale oortreding te probeer verminder. ln geval waar die oortreding as baie groot beskou word waar' n mondelingse verskoning nie genoegsaam wees om die verhouding weer te herstel nie. Manne en vrou skoliere behaan heelwat sosiale oortreding teenoor mekaar by die skool en is oorplig om verskoning aan te bied vir sulke oortredings. Tydens die proses van verskoning aanbied word die skoliere gekonfronteer met verskeie opsies om van te kies. Manlike skoliere het die manier om verkonings en verduidelikings te gee vir hulle oortredings. Hulle sal nie 'n direkte apologie aanbied nie. lndien hulle aanvaar dat hulle verkeerd was, sal hul die opsie om hulle verduidelikings te gee as strategie gebruik. Manspersone bly te trots en skaam te wees om 'n apologie te vra van dames. Dames weer vra makliker en direk om verskoning. Hierdie beginstel van om verskoning vra geld nie ten opsigte van alle skoliere nie. Sommiges sal direk apologie aanbied. Ander aanvaar vroulike skoliere as hul gelykes en probeer om 'n gesonde verhouding te handhaf Dieselfde beginsel geld tot vroulike skoliere van hulle sal lang verduidelikings aanbied as 'n strategie deur om verskoning te vra: Hulle vra nie direk om verskoning nie. Daar is ook ander strategiee in gebruiklike in Tshivenda deur manlik sowel as vroulike skoliere, maar is nie populer in gebruik nie. Strategiee soos die duidelike aanvaarding van skuld en die uitdrukking van selfbeskulding word beskou as die minste gebruiklike opsie. 'n Verskoning word beinvloed deur die manier waarop die klaer sy ofhaar misnoe wys of uitspreek. Manlike sowel as vroulike leerders versoek ook in metodiek hoe hulle kla. Hulle maak gebruik van 'n kla strategie wat verskillend is van mekaar. Beide geslagte maak gebruik van direk sowel as indirek beskuldigings. Die verskil egter is by vroulik klaers aangesien hul klagte langer duur as hul manlike ewe nie. Vroulike klaers wys hul woede of ongelukkigheid deur meer klagte strategie te betree. Mans daarom teen neem nie lang om te kla nie en behels net a paar strategiee.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
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.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die meervoudige naamwoorde in Tshivenda. Die spesifieke meervoudige naamwoorde sal elkeen in sy normale klas geondersoek word om te sien of hulle sekere morfologiese en sintaktiese eienskappe het, wat nie ooreen stem met tel naamwoorde. Hoofstuk 1 is die inleiding van hierdie studie. Dit beskryf die doelwit, organisasie en metode van die studie. Hoofstuk 2 is ‘n oorsig van die literatuur aangaande meervoudige naamwoorde. Hierdie is ‘n oorsig van die mees prominente meervoudige naamwoorde in die algemeen. Sommige van die prominente werke van hierdie nasie sluit die volgende in: Pelletier 91979a; 1979b), Ware (1979), Cartwright (1979), McCawley (1979), Chierchia (1982), Link (1983) en Eschenbach (1993). Hoofstuk 3 identifiseer meervoudige naamwoorde. Die doel van die klasifikasie van naamwoorde in woordnet, normale klassie in Tshivenda en die morfologiese en sintaktiese eienskappe van meervoudigheid. Hoofstuk 4 is die konklusie van die studie, die opsomming as ook die ondersoek in die morfologiese, sinktaktiese en semantieke eienskappe van meervoudigheid.