Thesis (M.A. (African Languages )) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / This research study is divided into five chapters and they are as follows: Chapter one is the introductory chapter of this study and it covers the background of this study problem, aim of the study, rational of the study, significance of the study, study methodology, and literature review. Chapter two covers the analytic study of discourse at mošate looking at the use of figurative speech patterns such as idioms, proverbial utterances as gestures of speech in control by the domain, purpose, and setting. Chapter three covers politeness and related gestures of speech as used by Northern Sotho language speakers during gatherings at mošate and other discourse conventions. Chapter four covers the study of Sešate as a restricted code as opposed to elaborate code and its appropriateness, discourse theories and the purposefulness of Sešate. Chapter five is the concluding chapter of this study.