Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / This study entails the translation of scientific terms from English into Northern Sotho. The reason one conducted this study is because translators experience difficulties in finding the correct equivalent terms, especially in Northern Sotho. Consequently, borrowing and transliteration of terms becomes their last resort. However, that does not help users of dictionaries to achieve their communicative goal. The study highlights that, the borrowing of terms leads to language shift and death as users no longer consider other equivalents. In addition, the study indicates that the constant usage of the borrowed terms causes the terms to lose meaning and function. The way in which people translate idiomatic expressions is a huge problem as well. Mostly, people end up using literal translation and subsequently, the whole meaning of a text is lost or misunderstood.

Thesis (MA. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / Structural markers, front matter, contextual guidance and cross-referencing are some of the important features of bilingual dictionaries which are often taken for granted. This study evaluates the presentation of structural markers in some Northern Sotho/English Bilingual dictionaries, with special reference to Pharos: Popular Northern Sotho Dictionary and Sesotho sa Leboa/English Pukuntšu Dictionary. The study further evaluates the use of the front matter, contextual guidance and cross-referencing in bilingual dictionaries. The study has established that bilingual dictionaries can become user-friendly if they identify and use appropriate strategies, as this leads to communicative success. By contrast, the incorrect application of a comma or a semicolon may lead to a misinterpretation of the supplied equivalents in bilingual dictionaries.

D.Ed. / The aim of the research study is to design a methodological model for teaching Northern Sotho poetry at Colleges of Education so that teaching poetry will retain a spirit of delightfulness and cultivate a sensitivity of appreciation in pupils. They should grow as persons and learn to expand their imaginations so as to experience aesthetic pleasure. The various components of the syllabus for the Secondary Teachers' Diploma were investigated to determine whether they are relevant to secondary schools for which prospective teachers are being prepared. The opinions of lecturers, teachers and other educationists who are, or were involved in the teaching of Northern Sotho were considered and relevant study sources were used as a basis for the research study. A detailed comparative teaching and learning model for the study of Northern Sotho poetry was developed and a recommended model was designed which does not isolate Northern Sotho poetry teaching from that of classical languages, but identifies Northern Sotho poetry as having its own unique characteristics which, to a certain extent, provide its uniqueness. When analysing and determining the various types of Northern Sotho poetry and their characteristics, the difference between Western poetry and Northern Sotho poetry can be distinguished clearly. The historical development of Northern Sotho poetry, showing the various trends and thematic periods, was traced from as far back as 1935. The thesis provides a background of the types and characteristics of classical poetry and determines a model for the implementation of the teaching of Northern Sotho poetry, seeing that the absence of well-formulated aims and objectives is one of the weaknesses in the current Secondary Teachers' Diploma syllabus. Various pedagogical-didactical approaches are highlighted with emphasis on the communicative approach as a recommended childcentred approach. A model for teaching and evaluating Northern Sotho poetry has been formulated and its practical implementation is recommended. The research study culminates in practical pedagogic-didactical proposed measures which will enhance and improve the quality of teaching and evaluating Northern Sotho poetry. A selection of Northern Sotho poems, available for the various classes, was chosen and analysed in detail. The constitution and function of a Selection Committee and a Reviewing Book Committee was recommended with suggestions for membership. Outstanding poets and their contributions to Northern Sotho, which represent traditional as well as modern poetry, were selected as examples of the various methods used in preparing lesson/s on various poems. The thesis provides detailed information for prospective teachers in Northern Sotho poetry, which should be included in their syllabus, namely aims and objectives, content, teaching and learning methodology, testing and evaluation and also a model for evaluating literature and poetry in general. I sincerely hope that the study will be an incentive to developing a spirit of delight in Northern Sotho poetry as well as provoke critical response from lecturers, teachers and pupils alike, so that the teaching and learning of poetry will become the joy it deserves to be.

M.A. (African Languages) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. (Applied Linguistics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (Ph.D. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Refer to ducoment

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study assumes the theoretical framework of text construction as advanced by Grabe and Kaplan (1996) for the analysis of Sepedi texts of government speeches from the magazine: ANC TODAY. The theory that is used in this study invokes the linguistic elements that can be used by both the teachers and learners to critically analyse texts in classrooms. This genre-theoretic approach is employed as framework, for analysing the linguistic, rhetorical and discourse properties for Sepedi texts. It also addresses the parameters of the ethnography of writing advanced by Grabe and Kaplan: "who writes what to whom, for what purpose, why, when and how?' The text construction analysis executed in the study enable the learners to acquire skills, knowledge and values of outcomes-based language teaching. The information structuring of text analysis and construction enables learners to write, read and use language structure and conventions for learning and career pathways. The textlinguistic strategies for analysing written texts in language teaching enables learners to analyse texts successfully and gain an awareness of language use in texts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie aanvaar die teoretiese raamwerk van tekskonstruksie soos voorgestaan deur Grabe en Kaplan (1996) in die analise van Sepedi tekste van regeringstoesprake uit die tydskrif ANC TODAY. Die teorie wat aanvaar word, gebruik die linguistiese elemente wat aangewend kan word deur taalonderwysers sowel as taalleerders om tekste krities te ontleed. Die genre-teoretiese benadering word ingespan as raamwerk vir die analise van die linguistiese, retoriese, en diskoerskenmerke van Sepedi tekste. Dit spreek ook die etnografie van skryf, soos voorgestaan deur Grabe en Kaplan, aan: wie skryf wat aan wie, vir watter doel, wanneer, waarom, en hoe. Die tekskonstruksie analise uitgevoer in hierdie studie stel leerders in staat om vaardighede, kennis en waardighede van uitkoms-gebaseerde taalonderrig te verwerf. Die informasie strukturering in teksanalise stel leerders in staat om te lees, skryf en praat in hulle toekomstige beroepe. Die tekslinguistiese strategieë vir die analise van geskrewe tekste in taalonderrig stel leerders in staat om tekste suksesvol te ontleed en 'n bewussyn te ontwikkel van taalgebruik in tekste.

M. Tech. Language Practice / Sepedi is one of the eleven official languages spoken in South Africa. It is mostly spoken in Limpopo province and by the minority in other provinces. The National Language Policy (1997) states that indigenous languages should be used to provide equal access to public services and programmes amongst all citizens, thus, Language Policies of the spheres of governance, national, provincial and local, should be determined based on their needs and circumstances of its residents. This study strives to check whether Sepedi as one of the five official languages has been used to its full capacity in the Greater Letaba Local Municipality, Limpopo province, as a language for official communicative purpose. The municipality has five official languages. In view of the fact that Sepedi is one of these official languages of the Limpopo province, it deserves to be treated with the respect it ought to have.

Thesis (M. A. (African Languages) --University of Limpopo,2005 / The study aimsat finding out thecategorical status of copulatives in Northern Sotho. This will be achieved by examining the morphosemantic features of various copulatives. From a morphological perspective, thestudy focuses on the following types ofcopulative verbs: ke, se, ba, le, na, and COP. The study argues that the foresaid copulatives are not particles but are fully-fledged verbs. As far as the semantic nature of the copulatives is concerned, the study discovered a variety of meanings associated with copulatives, such as the following: the identifying, descriptive,locational and associative. Lastly, the study contends that any research on the copulative in Northern Sotho should be a morphosemantic one, as previous studies focused on one and neglected the other.

Thesis (Ph. D.(Translation and Linguistics Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This thesis assesses the use of Northern Sotho as an official language in the Capricorn and Mopani District Municipalities of Limpopo Province. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates clearly that all eleven official languages are equal. The study argues that Northern Sotho, as one of the 11 official languages of the Republic of South Africa, deserves to be treated with respect. It (the study) has shown that Northern Sotho is currently not enjoying the proper status that is afforded to it by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996). The business world does not make use of Northern Sotho as it is regarded as an inferior language which is associated uneducated people. Furthermore, the study has discovered that many of the public and private sector companies communicate with their employees and members of the public in English, while most of these employees and members lack the necessary linguistic proficiency. Information that is directed to employees and members of the public only serves the purpose if it is distributed to them in the languagethat they best understand. The main factor with regard to the use of Northern Sotho in all spheres of life is that many Northern Sotho speakers feel ashamed of speaking the language, particularly in public. This is not surprising because many, mainly educated African people, despise their indigenous languages because they consider them backward, inferior and under-developed. English is still used as a dominant language. The researcher drew on theories of scholars such as Piaget, Laswell, Weaver and Schramm to ground this study. Ethnolinguistic vitality theory is also considered as the study of minority languages and more specifically, Northern Sotho, involves language vitality issues. The researcher has used qualitative research methodology designed through document analysis, observations and individual interviews. Research findings confirm that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) indicates that all the 11 official languages should be used in all spheres of life with equal regard and consideration. This implies, among others, the entrenchment of the right of learners and students to be taught in the language that they best understand. The 12 participants from Capricorn and the 12 from Mopani Districtv Municipalities stated that the use of English should not be tampered with. All the other remaining respondents concurred that Northern Sotho should be granted its rightful status in all official communication. Northern Sotho was found to have linguistic vitality in that majority of Capricorn and Mopani District Municipalities’ residents are Northern Sotho speakers who deserve to be afforded their constitutional right to be served in the medium of Northern Sotho as their indigenous language of choice