MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M.E.R Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / Language shift is the process whereby members of a community in which more than one language is spoken abandon their original language in favour of another. This research concerns language shift by speakers of the Tshivenḓa language found in Beitbridge district in Zimbabwe. The Vhavenḓa people in Beitbridge district are shifting away from their language and using other languages found in the district. Today the Vhavenḓa people living in Beitbridge have adopted other languages and dislike their own. The consequence of forsaking their mother language has had a negative impact on the Vhavenḓa people. The research aims at discussing the concept of shift, what kinds of behaviours constitute shift and indications of shift in the Tshivenḓa language. The research also gives recommendations on how to reduce language shift in the Tshivenḓa language in Beitbridge.

MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M. E. R. Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afurika kha Vhutsila na Mvelele / NRF

M. E. R. Mathivha Centre for African Languages, Arts and Culture / MAAS

MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M.E.R.Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / Code switching is a factor that is affecting many languages in our communities. There are so many factors that have led people to code switch. People seem to think that it is a good thing to code switch overlooking the impacts of code switching. The aim of this research is to reveal the causes of code switching and its impact on Tshivenḓa language which is regarded as one of the minority languages in Zimbabwe. This study will reveal the causes of code switching Tshivenḓa language in Beitbridge town and the impacts of doing so which include among others language death and language shift. The study will also show how shortage of books, publishing companies, presence of private schools and the uninvolvement of government has contributed to code switching of Tshivenḓa language in Beitbridge town in Zimbabwe. The study will also put forth some recommendations that can be used in order to solve this problem of code switching languages.

PhD (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M. E.R. Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo ḓitika kha u ṱoḓisisa u muthufhadzwa ha miraḓo ya muvhili wa muthu sa nḓila ya u bvukulula maidioma kha Tshivenḓa hu tshi shumiswa tswikelelo ya u andisa. Vhavenḓa ndi lushaka lune lu wanala Afrika Tshipembe tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, Vunduni ḽa Limpopo nga vhunzhi. ` Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo shumisa na mbambedzo ho sedzwa zwine zwa khou ṱoḓa u swikelelwa. Mbambedzo ndi u sumbedza u fana ha zwithu zwivhili nga zwine zwa vha nazwo. Ho itwa na mbambedzo kha ṱhoḓisiso iyi hu tshi vhambedzwa kutshilele kwa muthu na miraḓo ya muvhili ye ya shumiswa kha ṱhoḓisiso iyi. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo shumisa ngona ya khwaḽithetivi sa vhunga ndivho khulwane hu u ṱoḓa u pfhesesa maidioma a Tshivenḓa zwi tshi bva kha mvelele ya Vhavenḓa. Ndi Vhavenḓa vhaṋe vhane vha vha na nḓivho khulwane ya maidioma. Mafhungo a ṱhoḓisiso iyi o kuvhanganyiwa hu tshi shumiswa mbudziso na mbudzisavhathu dzine dzo ṋewa vhadzulapo vha Vhavenḓa vhane vha vha vhaaluwa vha tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, vunduni ḽa Limpopo, Afrika Tshipembe. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo wanulusa uri maidioma a Tshivenḓa a na ṱhalutshedzo dzo fhambanaho na zwine zwo ḓowelea sa ṱhalutshedzo dza maipfhi a Tshivenḓa. Zwiṅwe hafhu, ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo bvisela khagala uri musi muthu a tshi ṱoḓa u pfhesesa maidioma a Tshivenḓa nga vhuḓalo, u tea u vha na nḓivho nga ha mvelele ya Tshivenḓa, a vhe muthu a ḓivhaho na mishumo ya miraḓo ya muvhili wa muthu. Ndivho khulwane ya ṱhoḓisiso iyi ndi u sengulusa maidioma a Tshivenḓa ane tshivhumbeo tshao tsha vha na madzina ane a bva kha miraḓo ya muvhili wa muthu. Tsumbo dza madzina ayo ndi: mbilu, tshanḓa, mulomo, mulenzhe, maṱo, ṱhoho na nḓevhe kha u vha na maanḓa a u ṱuṱuwedza kana u bvisa ṱhalutshedzo nnzhi hu tshi shumiswa tswikelelo ya dzhenerethivi kana ya u andisa na mbambedzo. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo itelwa u thivha gake kha maṅwalwa ngauri a hu athu vha na ṱhoḓisiso yo no itwaho nga ha maidioma a Tshivenḓa ane tshivhumbeo tshao tsha vha na madzina ane kwama miraḓo ya muvhili wa muthu i nḓila ya u bvukulula vhupfhiwa ha muthu nga ha zwine a khou amba. / NRF

In Venda with English abstract / Hei thyisisi i vhambedza thandululo ya thaidzo dza mafhungo a ṱhalano khoroni dza musanda na khothe dza muvhuso. Saizwi Ndayotewa ya Riphabuḽiki ya Afrika Tshipembe, mulayo 108 wa 1996, i tshi ṋea muṅwe na muṅwe pfanelo dza u shumisa luambo lune a lu takalela, nyambo dzoṱhe dza tshiofisi dzi tea u shumiswa u lingana kha thandululo ya thaidzo dza ṱhalano khoroni na khothe. Hei thyisisi i sumbedza nyambo dza English na Afrikaans dzi dzone dzi re na mutsindo musi hu tshi itwa thandulululo ya thaidzo dza ṱhalano ngeno luambo lwa Tshivenḓa na lwa vhaholefhali vha u pfa lu sa pfali. Nga nnḓa ha u ḓiphina nga mbofholowo ya u shumisa Tshivenḓa sa luambo lwa tshiofisi kha u amba, lu shumiswa zwenezwo fhedzi huna muṱalutshedzi wa khothe. Ngauralo, hei thyisisi i khou ita khuwelelo ya uri tshifhinga tsho swika tsha uri muvhuso u ṋee luambo lwa Tshivenḓa vhuiimo vhu eḓanaho na nyambo dza English na Afrikaans na uri ulu luambo lu shumiswevho kha thandululo ya thaidzo dza mafhungo a ṱhalano khothe dza muvhuso. / This thesis compares the conflict resolution in divorce discourse between traditional and government courts. It argues that since the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act no 108 of 1996 has given everyone the right to use the language of his or her choice, all official languages must be used equitably in conflict resolutions in divorce discourse in both traditional and government courts. Most of the Vhavenḓa, especially the elderly, cannot speak more than one official language and this is relevant in conflict resolution. This thesis contends that conflict resolution in divorce discourse is mainly dominated by English and Afrikaans while Tshivenḓa as well as sign language is not used. Instead of enjoying the freedom of utilizing Tshivenḓa as a spoken official language as used by the court interpreter. Therefore, this thesis argues that time has come that government courts accord equal status to all official languages and that Tshivenḓa language should be utilized as English and Afrikaans in conflict resolution in divorce discourse. / African languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

Summaries in English, Tsonga and Venda / Dyondzo yi lavisisa vutlhari lebyi nga kona eka marungula ya tiprosi ta Xitsonga byo kambisisa swikili swa vulawuri na switirateji swa mbulavurisano leswi tirhisiwaka hi varhangeri va sweswi eka tisosayiti. Mahungu hinkwawo ya mbulavurisano wa swiharhi na vanhu ya nyikiwile lama kongomisaka eka tinxaka ta vurhangeri na swikili. Marungula ya tiprosi ta Xitsonga lama hlawuriweke na ku dokhumentiwa na marungula hi varhangeri va sweswi ya hlengeletiwile naswona ya xopaxopiwile. Dyondzo yi leteriwile hi Nxopanxopo wa Mbulavulo wa Nkoka, Mbulavurisano wa Vanhu, na maendlelo ya vutitivisi bya Vanhu. Datara yi lulamisiwile hi mitlawa ku ya hi mikhetekanyo leyi hlawuriweke ya switirateji swa mbulavurisano wa nomu na wo ka wu nga ri wa nomu. Mavulavulelo ya vanhu lava nga eka swiyimo swa vurhangeri eka marungula ya tiprosi na ya vanhu va sweswi ya hlamuseriwile na ku va ya xopaxopiwile hi ku ya hi maendlelo lama hlawuriweke. Leswi nga kumiwa swi humeserile erivaleni leswaku hakunene, varhangeri va sweswi va kayivela swikili swa vulawuri na switirateji swa mbulavurisano. Milawu ya vurhangeri leyi kambisisiweke leyi languteriweke ku suka eka varhangeri votala va vanhu yi kumiwile yi nga ri kona. Swiyimo swa malawulelo na mafumelo yo biha hi ndlela ya ntirhiso wo ka wu nga ri kahle kumbe nkucetelo swi kombisiwile ku suka eka ku tirhisa switirateji swa mbulavurisano wa nomu na wo ka wu nga ri wa nomu hi ndlela yo ka yi nga ri kahle. Makolo, vukari na ku tshembhela eka swa vukhongeri kumbe swikwembu swa le hansi a ku ri swona a swi vanga malawulelo na mafumelo yo biha. Vatirhivotala va xiyimo xa le hansi va hlanganile na ku xanisiwa emimoyeni, ku xanisiwa hi ku vulavula na ku xanisiwa emirini, ku xanisiwa hi swa masangu na ku susiwa eka swiyimo swa vona ehansi ka vulawuri bya varhangeri va vona eka sosayiti. Varhangeri va sweswi va nga dyondza swotala hi swikili swa vulawuri na switirateji swa mbulavurisano ku suka eka marungula ya tiprosi ta tindzimi ta Afrika, ngopfu-ngopfu marungula ya tiprosi ta Xitsonga. Dyondzo yi humesela erivaleni leswaku ntsheketo wu fuwile hi vutlhari bya swikwembu swa le hansi, lebyi nga pfunaka eka swiphiqo swa vurhangeri bya sweswi. Dyondzo yi nga va na nkoka eka varhangeri na vatirhikulorhi va vona va xiyimo xa le hansi. Swiringanyeto na swibumabumelo swi nyikiwile eka varhangeri va sweswi ku va pfuna ku teka xiboho xo hundzuluxa switirateji swa vona swa mbulavurisano na ku cinca mavulavulelo ya vona. Varhangeri va sweswi va fanele va kopela ku suka eka vutlhari lebyi nga kona eka marungula ya tiprosi ku kambisisa ku kayivela ka swikili swa vona swa vulawuri na switirateji swa mbulavurisano ku antswisa mbulavurisano exikarhi ka vona na vatirhikulorhi va vona lava nga eka xiyimo xa le hansi. / Ngudo i todisisa vhutali vhu re hone kha nganetshelo dza phurosa ya sialala ya Xitsonga malugana na khaedu ya zwikili zwa ndangulo na ndila dza vhudavhidzani zwi shumiswaho nga vharangaphanda vha musalauno zwitshavhani. Mafhungo a u rangela malugana na vhudavhidzani ha phukha na ha vhathu o netshedzwa ho sedzwa maitele na zwikili zwa vhurangaphanda. Nganetshelo dzo vhulungwaho na u nanguludzwa dza phurosa ya sialala ya Xitsonga na nganetshelo malugana na vharangaphanda vha musalauno dzo kuvhanganywa dza senguluswa. Ngudo iyi yo disendeka kha ndila dza Tsenguluso ya Vhudavhidzani ha Tsasaladzo, Ngudo ya luambo ho sedzwa zwa u Tshilisana kha Vhudavhidzani na Nzudzanyele ya Vhushaka ha vhathu. Data yo vhekanywa u ya nga zwigwada zwa ndila dza vhudavhidzani dza u amba na dzi si dza u amba. Maitele a u davhidzana a vhaanewa kha vhuimo ha vhurangaphanda kha nganetshelo dza phurosa dza sialala na kha zwitshavha zwa musalauno o talutshedzwa a senguluswa ho d isendekwa nga ndila dzo nangwaho. Mawanwa o dzumbulula uri nangoho, vharangaphanda vha musalauno vha shaya zwikili zwa ndangulo na ndila dza vhudavhidzani. Mirando ya vhurangaphanda yo tolwaho ine ya lavhelelwa kha vharangaphanda vhanzhi vha zwitshavha a vha nayo. Zwiwo zwa ndangulo na u laula zwa u shumisa maanda kha tshivhumbeo tsha u shumisa kana u tutuwedza hu sa vhuedzi zwo vhonala kha tshumiso i si yone ya ndila dza vhudavhidzani dza u amba na dzi si dza u amba. Tseda, tsinyuwo na lutendo lwa vhurereli vhu si hone kana vha kale zwo vha zwiko zwa ndangulommbi na u toda u laula. Vhunzhi ha vhalanda vho vhaisala muyani, kha u amba na u tambudzwa muvhilini, vho tambudzwa kha zwa vhudzekani na u sudzuluswa nga vharangaphanda vhavho tshitshavhani. Vharangaphanda vha musalauno vha nga guda zwinzhi nga ha zwikili zwa ndangulo na ndila dza vhudavhidzani kha nganetshelo dza phurosa ya sialala ya nyambo dza vharema, zwihulu kha nganetshelo dza phurosa ya sialala ya Xitsonga. Ngudo yo bvukulula uri zwa sialala zwo pfuma nga vhutali ha vha kale, vhune vhu nga thusa malugana na thaidzo dza vhurangaphanda ha musalauno. Ngudo iyi i nga vha ya ndeme kha vharangaphanda na vhalanda vhavho. Madzinginywa na themendelo zwo netshedzwa kha vharangaphanda vha musalauno u vha thusa uri vha kone u tshea malugana na u dzudzanya nga huswa ndila dzavho dza vhudavhidzani, nahone vha kone u shandukisa kuitele kwavho kwa u davhidzana. Vharangaphanda vha muisalauno vha fanela u guda kha vhutali vhu re kha nganetshelo dza phurosa ya sialala vha lulamise tshiimo tsha u shaya havho zwikili zwa ndangulo na nd ila dza vhudavhidzani malugana na u khwinisa vhudavhidzani vhukati havho na vhalanda vhavho. / The study investigates the wisdom embedded in Xitsonga oral prose narratives to address management skills and communication strategies used by current leaders in societies. Background information on animal and human communication is provided with a focus on leadership styles and skills. Selected documented Xitsonga oral prose narratives and narratives about current leaders were collected and analysed. The study is guided by the Critical Discourse Analysis, Interactional Sociolinguistics and Social Constructionist approaches. Data was classified per the selected categories of the verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. Communicative behaviours of characters in leadership positions in the oral prose narratives and those of the current societies were interpreted and analysed based on the selected approaches. Findings revealed that indeed, current leaders lack management skills and communication strategies. Examined leadership principles expected from many societal leaders were found to be non-existent. Cases of power mismanagement and dominance in the form of negative manipulation or influence were identified from their misuse of verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. Greed, anger and defective religious or ancestral beliefs were sources of such power mismanagement and dominance. Most subordinates suffered emotional, verbal and physical abuse, sexual harassment and displacement at the hands of their leaders in the society. Current leaders can learn much about management skills and communication strategies from the African languages oral prose narratives, particularly Xitsonga oral prose narratives. The study reveals that folklore is rich with ancestral wisdom, which can assist in current leadership problems. The study can be valuable to both leaders and their subordinates. Suggestions and recommendations are offered to the current leaders to help them decide on adjusting their communication strategies and ultimately changing their communicative behaviour. Current leaders should take a leaf from the wisdom embedded in oral prose narratives to address their lack of management skills and communication strategies to improve communication between them and their subordinates. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)