Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Concern surrounding the low levels of academic literacy amongst incoming first year students has prompted universities and other tertiary education institutions in South Africa to implement tests of academic literacy. At Stellenbosch University, the English version of this test is known as TALL (Test of Academic Literacy Levels) and was developed to assess reading and writing abilities in an academic context. The results are used to ‘stream’ students into programmes which assist them in acquiring the various skills deemed necessary for their academic success. This study examines, on the one hand, the significance of listening in the assessment of academic literacy levels; on the other hand, it explores the potential for an academic listening test (ALT) to assist TALL in more accurate screening of students, particularly the borderline cases. The design and operationalisation of ALT is based on the theories and approaches of several researchers in the field. The study began with the compilation of the test specification and design of ALT. This was followed by empirically piloting a project where qualitative data concerning the validity of ALT was collected by means of a questionnaire. The next phase involved assessing the academic listening competency of a sample of first year university students. This assessment comprised an initial test administration followed by a second administration of the same test a month later in order to ascertain consistency of measurement over a period of time. The quantitative results obtained from both administrations were then statistically analysed to determine the reliability and validity of ALT. The final phase of the study involved the correlation of these results with those of TALL to determine the level of criterion-related validity as well as to establish whether ALT could be a useful added dimension to TALL.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / This emperical study is another addition to the expanding body of research on the effect of computer-based reading instruction on tertiary students within the South Africa context. Grounded in a sound theoretical framework and informed by practice, it identifies the importance of reading as a skill and the potential of new technology to enhance reading skills.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / As computers increasingly seem to gain importance and have become a useful tool to carry out everyday routine tasks and to facilitate communication, task-based and student centred approaches of foreign language teaching and learning need to evaluate how computers can be integrated into the classroom to equip students with the necessary skills they need to master the challenges which may come with these new technologies. Since CALL (computer assisted language learning) -research has also suggested that computers can assist both students and teachers by enhancing L2 learning activities and by providing useful tools to complete them, it seems like there is no way computers can not play a role in L2 teaching and learning today. This thesis aims to give an overview of the use of computer applications in the L2 classroom and illustrates them by giving practical examples for a specific learning environment, namely the Goethe-Zentrum Kapstadt. As informed use of computers in a CALL scenario must be based on a thorough understanding of L2 learning processes, this thesis also provides a critical overview of general L2 teaching and learning theories as well as CALL research in particular. As a theoretical framework may vary according to the specific conditions of the learning environment a description of the Goethe-Zentrum is also given and considered as a criterion for the development and integration of learner-centred and task-based CALL activities at the Goethe-Zentrum.

Thesis (MPhil (Afrikaans and Dutch))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / In this study the problems surrounding the source language orientated translation of metaphors in general, and more specifically the source language orientated translation of Biblical metaphors, is investigated. A new Afrikaans translation of the Bible will soon be undertaken. This translation is meant to be source language orientated. The translators responsible for the translation are in need of guidelines to ensure the effective source language orientated translation of metaphors. In the literature study a general overview of the phenomenon called ‘metaphor’ is given, in order to equip translators with the required theoretical knowledge to successfully identify, analyse and describe metaphors. It is followed by an overview of metaphor translation in general. The theoretical approach to metaphor translation of Dagut, Stienstra and Schäffner relies heavily on the difference between conceptual and linguistic metaphors. This approach is identified as useful for source language orientated metaphor translation. The background and translation principles of the Ou Afrikaanse Vertaling (OAV) and the Nuwe Afrikaanse Vertaling (NAV) are investigated after the literature study. The distinctive approaches of these two Bible translations are criticised by virtue of the knowledge gained from the literature study in the previous chapters. Furthermore, a working hypothesis regarding the source language orientated translation of metaphors is formulated. This hypothesis is tested during the empirical study by means of nine metaphors from the Psalms. The nine metaphors are translated using a model which analyses the metaphors and translates them in a source language orientated way. On the basis of the literature and empirical study, a series of conclusions are made. These are applicable to metaphor translation in general, as well as specifically source language orientated metaphor translation. Suggestions that apply specifically to the new Afrikaans translation of the Bible are also made.

Dissertation (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation offers metalexicographical criteria for the compilation of standard translation dictionaries in non-standardized languages. It particularly focuses on the role that the proposed dictionary model can play in the language standardization, with special reference to Fang. These criteria are based on different theoretical frameworks. Criteria for the dictionary structure are particularly based on Hausmann & Wiegand's General Theory of Lexicography, while a discussion of the role that dictionaries can play in the standardization process of languages is particularly based on criteria introduced by Zgusta. This dissertation is structured as follows: • Chapter 1, Introduction and problem statement, presents the motivation for the choice of the present topic, as well as the theoretical frameworks that I use to build my metalexicographical criteria. • Chapter 2, Fang and its dialects, focuses on the concerned language and its dialects. Apart from a historical overview of the Fang people, a wide inventory of works that have been implemented in Fang, as well as the choice and the motivation of the standard dialect are presented. • Chapter 3, Dictionaries and corpora, highlights the strong relationship between the compilation of modern dictionaries and electronic corpora. More precisely this chapter intends to demonstrate the importance of electronic corpora in the lexicographic practice. In this regard, the importance of some software and new corpus methods are also demonstrated. • Chapter 4, Aspects of the dictionary structure, mainly focuses on different structures of the dictionary and how data should be spread and organized in each dictionary component. A detailed account is given of the structure of each dictionary component. • Chapter 5, Dictionaries and standardization, focuses on the main purpose of the dissertation and demonstrates why and how the dictionary can be an instrument in the standardization process of languages, with specific reference to Fang. • Chapter 6, Concluding remarks, reviews all chapters by highlighting the focal points of each of them. Some perspectives or potential new developments are foreseen in order to pave the way for the elaboration of new theoretical frameworks and the improvement of the proposed dictionary model. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif bied metaleksikografiese kriteria vir die samestelling van standaard vertalende woordeboeke vir nie-gestandaardiseerde tale. Die fokus is veralop die rol wat die voorgestelde woordeboekmodel kan speel in taalstandaardisering, met spesifieke verwysing van Fang. Hierdie kriteria is gebaseer op verskillende teoretiese raamwerke. Kriteria vir die woordeboekstruktuur is veral gebaseer op Hausmann en Wiegand se algemene leksikografieteorie, terwyl 'n bespreking van die rol van woordeboeke in die standaardiseringsproses van tale veral gebaseer is op kriteria wat deur Zgusta voorgestel is. Die proefskrif is soos volg saamgestel: • Hoofstuk 1 bied 'n motivering vir die keuse van die betrokke onderwerp asook vir die teoretiese raamwerke waarvolgens die metaleksikografiese kriteria geformuleer is. • Hoofstuk 2 fokus op die betrokke taal, Fang, en sy dialekte. Naas 'n historiese oorsig van die Fang sprekers word 'n wye keuse uit die Fang literatuur asook die keuse van 'n standaarddialek aan die orde gestel. • Hoofstuk 3 wys op die sterk verhouding tussen die samestelling van 'n moderne woordeboek en elektroniese korpora. Hierdie hoofstuk benadruk die belang van elektroniese korpora vir die leksikografiese praktyk. In hierdie verband word daar ook verwys na die belang van sekere sagtewareprodukte asook nuwe korpusmetodes. • Hoofstuk 4 is veral gerig op die verskillende woordeboekstrukture en op hoe data versprei en in die verskillende woordeboekkomponente aangebied moet word. Die struktuur van elke woordeboekkomponent word in besonderhede bespreek. • Hoofstuk 5 fokus op die hoofdoel van die proefskrif en wys hoe en waarom In woordeboek, met spesifieke verwysing na die situasie van Fang, In instrument kan wees in die taa Istandaardiseri ngsproses. • Hoofstuk 6 gee In oorsig oor die voorafgaande hoofstukke en wys op sekere belangrike aspekte wat bespreek is. Nuwe ontwikkelinge wat voorsien word om die weg te baan vir die ontwerp van nuwe teoretiese raamwerke ter verbetering van die voorgestelde model word beklemtoon.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / This study focuses on foreign language teaching and learning in the professional workplace. A gap was perceived in the catering industry where chefs and waitrons are required to use French cooking terminology in their profession without ready access to the correct usage of this terminology. The purpose of this study is to address this gap and to offer a solution to the observed need. The study concentrates on the reading and writing of menus in French. The reason for this focus is that this is the area where French cooking terminology is arguably needed, as it is here where the incorrect usage of the French language is most evident.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The application designed is an attempt to solve the problems that students face in writing well balanced academic essays. These are essays that are correct in structure and form, coherent and cohesive, well referenced, and not plagiarised. These concerns are addressed in five basic units. These are "Where to Start", "The Basic Structure", "Paragraphing", "Referencing" and "Exercises". The exercises serve as a summary of all the units. This application derived out of the needs of the students of the University of Botswana. The content was a result of a needs analysis done through observation and interviews. The evaluation of the application was done by the students themselves and fellow students at Stellenbosch University. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie voorlegging is 'n soeke na 'n oplossing vir die probleme wat studente ondervind om 'n goed-gebalanseerde akademiese essay (werkstuk, proefskrif, tesis) te skryf. Hierdie is essays wat in struktuur en vorm korrek is, duidelik en relevant is, korrekte verwysings het en nie nageskryf (plagiaat) is nie. Die probleme is in vyf afdelings bespreek; nl. "Waar om te Begin", "Die Basiese Struktuur", "Paragrawe", "Verwysings" en "Oefeninge". Die oefeninge dien as opsomming vir al die eenhede. Hierdie voorlegging het ontstaan uit ’n behoefte van die studente by die Universiteit Botswana. Die inhoud was die resultaat van 'n behoefte-analise wat deur observasie en onderhoude gedoen is. Die evaluasie is deur die betrokke studente en studente aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch gedoen.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This research is based on a study which was made in order to investigate why the students who study Education at the Eastern Cape Technikon fail to acquire competence in essay writing, in spite of going through the Computer program that is being used by the Department of Communication. The name of this program is the Writing Process Workshop, and will be referred to as the WPW throughout the study. This program has been in use at the Technikon as a form of supplementary program for those students who were perceived to have shortfalls1 in their essay writing communication skills. This perception came about from the Department of Communication which decided that those students who scored less than 40% overall in (in language, not in content) their assignments, class works, and tests should go through the program and work independently, in the hope that their performance will improve. The study spans over two years, with the first year being the period where the researcher collected data in the form of written errors that the students made in their essays. The second year of the research is the period when the main research took place. During the second year of the research, the researcher observed the students as they went through the WPW for three months. Upon completing the program, the students were asked to respond to a questionnaire. In addition to the questionnaire, the researcher examined the student errors that occurred in the students’ essays throughout 2003 (while they were on the program, together with the ones from last year (2003). The reason for this was to determine if the errors that were present in 2002 are still present even after the students had gone through the WPW. The researcher then found that there was still considerable occurrence of the same errors in the students’ essays, a fact which led the researcher to deduce that very little improvement in the writing skills of the students has occurred between 2002 and 2003. To explain the above point further, the research findings indicated that the essay-writing competence of the subjects did not improve in spite of the WPW intervention.The researcher then went on to evaluate the program, using a set of guidelines2, and found it consistent with the requirements of the evaluation; and therefore ruled it out as the cause of the failure of students to improve their competence in writing. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher found that the students do not put conscious effort to apply what they have learnt in the program, and that some have not even completed the required tasks from the program. She also found that there is lack of integration of the software into the curriculum. Specific recommendations in Chapter 9 are given on how to facilitate this integration and to motivate the students to apply what they have learnt from the WPW to the mainstream essay writing exercises.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Arts and Culture is one of the new learning areas in the grade 8 and 9 school curriculum. To understand and then express themselves in a correct and confident manner, learners need the correct terminology for Arts and Culture. The learners need more than the day to day terminology in order to participate in conversations focussing on specialised subjects such as music, dance, drama and visual arts. It is important to note that the idea is not to develop expert academics but it is an attempt to enrich children for life and give them more self confidence. The aim of this computer project is to provide an information website to assist the grade 9 learners in the Arts and Culture domain to develop the appropriate language needed in the learning area.