The main purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of selected monotransitive verbs in Northern Sotho as regard their argument structure and event structure. These Northern Sotho verbs will be examined within the general theoretical framework of Generative Lexicon Theory postulated by Pustejovsky (1996). This theory is in essence concerned with the account of word meaning as it relates to lexical semantic properties of lexical items in composition with other lexical items in a sentence. The arguments of the Northern Sotho verbs examined will include an agentive subject argument, the external argument, and a patient/theme object argument, the internal argument. In addition, a locative internal argument occurs in the sentences, which may have the status of a true argument, a shadow argument, or a default argument, in Pustejovsky’s classification of arguments. The Northern Sotho verbs examined demonstrate accomplishment events in that they entail a change of state and are telic (i.e. they have a logical culmination or endpoint). This telicity property of the verb is often the result of the occurrence of the internal arguments, i.e. the patient/theme argument and locative argument of the verb. The verb classes examined for Northern Sotho include (i) verbs of putting, (ii) verbs of removing, (iii) verbs of sending and carrying, (iv) verbs of exerting force/push/pull verbs), (v) verbs of change of possession, (vi) learn verbs, (vii) verbs of throwing, (viii) verbs of contact by impact, (ix) verbs of cutting, (x) verbs of separating and disassembling, (xi) verbs of creation and transformation, (xii) verbs of communication, (xiii) verbs of ingesting, (xiv) verbs of change of state, and (xv) verbs of motion.

M.A. / Riddles, together with other genres such as idioms, proverbs and legends, form an important and integral component of what is commonly referred to as oral literature. Riddling is a traditional game, mainly engaged in by the youth, as a positive and constructive way of whiling away time. This game is not only confined to tribes and communities in Southern Africa, but is also played throughout the African continent and also in many parts of the world ...

Thesis (M.ED.) --University of Limpopo, 2009. / This study focuses on the morpheme le in Northern Sotho. It is sometimes confusing to establish the correct semantic function which the morpheme le expresses; and also to classify it into a certain word category. This study suggests the morphological features which the morpheme le bears in terms of its word categorization. The morpheme le in Northern Sotho can be used as a conjunction, a demonstrative pronoun, an agreement, a preposition, a copulative, an adverb and a complement as well. It is suggested in this study, ways of identifying the semantic function of the morpheme le in various contexts. This study reflects that the morpheme le in Northern Sotho can be used to denote: possession, accompaniment, location, additive focus, existentialism and honorifics.

Thesis (MA. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / This research is aimed at encouraging and empowering the Northern Sotho speaking people to make use of idioms in their everyday communication. A deep explanation of idioms was done as to how, where and when to use them. It has been discovered that idioms are not properly used at different places and levels. The researcher urges people to make use of idioms because they are rich with cultural values such as love and respect. It is very important, therefore, to understand and use idioms correctly as they have the literal as well as the figurative meanings.

M. Tech. Language Practice / South Africa's multilingual ecology requires acquisition of proficiency in several languages if one is to participate effectively in the economic, political, and socio-cultural spheres of the country. The study concentrates on the acquisition of a third language by adult university students in die Departments of Applied Languages, Education and Journalism, which they do as a requirement for their various qualifications. This study investigates the manifestation of Transfer of Cross-Linguistic Influence from the learners' previously-known languages during the acquisition / learning for a third language, Northern Sotho. The study examines errors identified in the language learners' written production of their interlanguage in Northern Sotho L3

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007.

The main objective of this study is to explore the literariness in JRL Rafapa's novels published between 1979-1991. This study was prompted by views of literary scholars who claim that post-0.K. Matsepe writers such as Rafapa were all influenced by Matsepe's writings to such an extent that they actually emulate his themes, settings, characters, plots and so on. This kind of emulation is said to have put the Northern Sotho Novel in a cul-de-sac. The modus operandi in this study is as follows: Chapter one deals with the aim of study, critical comments on the post-Matsepe writers, biographical sketch on Rafapa, literary approaches and method as well as the scope. The second chapter concentrates on the relationship between the writer and characters as his creations. It also deals with conventional character stereotypes such as the hero, the opponent and the supporter. Narrative strategies such as self-display or exteriorization, the narrative voice and the creation of an autobiographical narrative are also looked into. Chapter three explores Rafapa's themes. The main themes discussed are: social decay, madness and vengeance, as well as protest and conflict. We conclude the chapter by examining Rafapa's titles. Chapter four focuses closely on "place" and "time" in Rafapa's novels. The two mentioned aspects of setting are discussed separately according to: place as a space of action and place as acting space. convoluted time and chronological time. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of the functions of setting. Rafapa's idiolect is dealt with in chapter five. Here, we consider the word as the writer's main tool of communication. The use of words in different types of sentences as well as in various types of paragraphs come into focus. Chapter six looks into Rafapa's use of non-prose forms such as the interior monologue, the dialogue and the praise poems as the writer's means of extending meaning. Chapter seven is the recapitulation of the main findings in the thesis. It also touches on aspects which may form bases for future research. It is followed by a bibliography and an Appendix. / African Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

The aim of this research is to investigate the nature and development of the detective narrative in Northern Sotho from its beginnings in the 1960s up to its present level in the 1990s. . Due to the peculiarities of each text under study, different literary approaches, viz. Marxism, Feminism and lntertextuality have been utilized in an attempt at getting the best out of each text. The basic requirements of a detective narrative as legislated by the Detective Club in Britain and Ronald Knox have been used as a scale on which to weigh this product in Northern Sotho. The study investigates also how the detective narrative in Northern Sotho reflects the social history of the society out of which it originates. The differences in the texts of the 1970s with those of the 1990s is highlighted and the accurate way in which they are mirrors of the socio-political developments is revealed. The study finally reveals the achievements and failures of writers of this genre in Northern Sotho. Different areas which need research by future scholars are suggested. By way of conclusion the most important observation made is the need of being guided by a text under discussion whenever a literary approach is to be chosen. Also, more of vmodern literary approaches need to be experimented on in relation with African literature written in indigenous African languages so as to assist in finally deciding upon the need of a home-brewed approach. / African Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

M.Ed. / The point of departure in this research is that the teaching and learning of Northern Sotho (Ll) as a mother tongue or first language to its speakers should be on the same footi.ng with the teaching and learning of any other mother tongue elsewhere in the world. While universal principles of first language (Ll) instruction are followed, they should be adapted to suit Northern Sotho as a separate language. This is necessary because of the unique nature of Northern Sotho and the language's position viz a viz its speakers. The following problems are at present experienced teaching and learning of Northern Sotho as a formal subject: - lack of adequate scientific research in the teaching and learning of Northern Sotho on being introduced as a school subject; - some teachers still follow the second and third language approaches in teaching the subject; - the observed negative attitude of teachers and pupils alike towards the subject; - the status of Northern Sotho in a multilingual South Africa in which it is relegated to a so-called 'regional language'. In an attempt to ameliorate the situation, the researcher will focus attention on the following: - a review of the curriculum and the syllabi. Differentiation is necessary, hence the researcher will suggest two types of syllabi; namely a more 'culture bound syllabus' and a 'scientifically' orientated syllabus' for those pupils who wish to specialize in universal Language Studies and Linguistics. - curriculum enrichment as a measure to correct attitudes. - the teaching of Northern Sotho for specific purposes. In a multilingual country like South Africa, an African Language like Northern Sotho still has a role to play, for example, as a vehicle of culture. An alternative approach to the teaching and learning of Northern Sotho will presumably improve the status of Northern Sotho as a sUbject and thus ensure its survival as a school subject In future.

D.Litt. et Phil. / The main aim of this thesis is to study ambiguity in Northern Sotho. Ambiguity, often referred to as 'double or multiple meaning', is, as Scheffler (1979:i) observes, "deserving of systematic study" in its own right. In this study, an attempt is made to give it the attention it deserves insofar as research is concerned. Life is full of verbal (and visual) tricks that are constantly teasing the interlocutors and never allow their interpretative faculties to come to rest. Such verbal tricks sometimes lead to confusions and misunderstandings that often result in unnecessary conflicts. It is the main aim of this investigation to investigate such misunderstandings by revealing what these tricks are, and try to make people aware of such verbal tricks.