Uit Inleiding: Hoe belangrik is die aanleer van woordeskat by die verwerwing van 'n vreemde taal? Indien dit van besondere belang is, kan met reg gevra word: watter beginsels moet in ag geneem word by die opstel van metodes en tegnieke om die aanleer van die woordeskat met optimum effektiwiteit te laat plaasvind? Wat is die teoretiese basis vir sulke metodes en tegnieke? Hierdie is enkele vrae wat in hierdie ondersoek aan die orde sal kom. Die begrip "semantiese velde" of "betekenisvelde" is 'n idee wat in die jongste tyd heelwat aandag geniet by linguiste. Die konsep "betekenisveld" veronderstel twee kenmerke van die leksikon: 1. Dat die betekenisaspek van elke individuele leksikale item, kragtens kontras bestaan en dat hierdie kontras tussen betekeniskomponente van leksikale items in die leksikon teregkom, veral binne 'n betekenisveldsiening. 2. Dat die leksikon kragtens die relasies tussen die leksikale items 'n georganiseerde en gestruktureerde versameling is. In ons ondersoek sal dit dus hoofsaaklik gaan oor: 1. Bestaande metodes en tegnieke om woordeskat te onderrig. 2. Bestaande toerieë oor die gestruktureerdheid van woordeskat. 3. Die moontlikhede wat hierdie teorieë inhou, om die onderrig van woordeskat meer effektief te laat plaasvind.

Study to present a lexical-semantics analysis of two verbs in Xhosa. / Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / Study to present a lexical-semantics analysis of two verbs in Xhosa. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to present a lexical-semantics analyis of the verbs -phambuka and -jika in Xhosa. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the study as a whole, including reference to the aims of the research, the Theoretical Framework assumed and the organisation of the study. In Chapter 2, the Generative theory of the lexicon is reviewed. The multiple levels of representation of the different kinds of lexical information are discussed, including Argument structure, Event structure, Qualia structure and also the Lexical Inheritance structure. Chapter 3 presents a discussion of the polysemy of the verbs with reference to -phambuka. The polysemous behaviour of the verb -phambuka is examined with reference to sentence alternation constructions illustrating how the properties of the event structure of the verb changes in the alternations. Chapter 4 examines the polysemy of the verb -jika. The polysemous behaviour of the verb -jika is examined with reference to sentence alternation constructions that demonstrate the properties of the event structure of this verb in the respective alternations with AgentlTheme subject in contrast to Location-subject constructions. Chapter 5 presents a summary of the main findings and the conclusion of the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van hierdie studie is om 'n leksikaal-semantiese analise te doen van die bewegingswerkwoorde -phambuka ('afdraai') en -jika ('draai') in Xhosa. Hoofstuk 1 bied 'n oorsig van die studie as geheel, insluitende die stel van die doelstellings van die studie, die teoretiese raamwerk wat aanvaar word, en die organisasie van die studie. In Hoofstuk 2, word die Generatiewe Leksikon Teorie behandel. Die veelvuldige vlakke van representasie vir die tipes semantiese inligting benodig, word ondersoek. Hierdie vlakke is naamlik die Argumentstruktuur, Gebeurtenisstruktuur ('Event structure'), Qualia struktuur, en Leksikale erfenisstruktuur. Hoofstuk 3 bied 'n bespreking van die polisemie van werkwoorde met verwysing na -phambuka in Xhosa. Die polisemiese gedrag van -phambuka word ondersoek met verwysing na alternasiekonstruksies, wat illustreer het hoe veranderings in die alternasies verband hou met gebeurtenis-struktuur eienskappe van die werkwoord. Hoofstuk 4 ondersoek die polisemie van die werkwoord -jika in Xhosa. Die polisemiese gedrag van die werkwoord -jika word ondersoek met verwysing na sinsalternasie konstruksies wat die eienskappe van gebeurtenis struktuur van die werkwoord illustreer in die respektiewelike alternasies met AgentrTema subjek, in teenstelling met Lokasie-subjek konstruksies. Hoofstuk 5 bied die hoofbevindinge en 'n opsomming van die studie.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study deals with the lexical semantic analysis of motion verbs -za and -ya in Xhosa. In Chapter 1 the aim of the study is stated vividly. The characteristics and properties about the lexical semantic analysis of the verbs -za and -ya as well as the generative lexicon theory by Pustojovsky (1996) are discussed. The theoretical framework and the organisation of study are also discussed in this Chapter. In Chapter 2 we address in more detail the type for semantics. A generative theory of the lexicon includes multiple levels of representation for different types of lexical information needed. Amongst the levels there are structures such as Arguments, Event, Oualia and Inheritance structure. This structure of Oualia and the role they play in giving out the functional behaviour of words and phrases in composition is represented in more detail. Chapters 3 and 4 address the lexical semantic analysis of the verbs -za and -ya to account for the variety of selectional properties of the noun phrase subject argument of the verbs -za and -ya and the various interpretations that arises the terms of composition with its polysemous behaviour of the verbs -za and -ya are examined in sentence alternation constructions with respect to event structure characteristics. The lexical representation in terms of argument structures and the event structure of the verbs -za and -ya in different sentences and also explored. The different meanings of the lexicon in the different sentences are also explored. Chapter 5 is the conclusion, the critical analysis of the findings of all 4 Chapters in this study on lexical semantic analysis of the motion verbs -za and -ya in the Xhosa language. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die leksikaal semantiese eienskappe van die bewegingswerkwoorde -za en -ya in Xhosa. In hoofstuk een word die doelstelling van die studie uiteengesit. Die teorie van Generatiewe Leksikon van Pustejovsky word kortliks bepreek, wat die teoretiese raamwerk is van die studie. Laastens word die organisasie van die studie bespreek in hierdie hoofstuk. In hoofstuk 2 bespreek ons in groter besonderhede die model van Generatiewe Leksikon teorie. 'n Generatiewe teorie van die leksikon sluit in veelvuldige vlakke van representasie vir die verskillande tipes leksikalle inligting wat benodig word. Tussen die vlakke daar is strukture soos is Argumentstruktuur, Handeling struktuur, Qualia en die rol wat dit speel in die verspreidig van die funksionele gedrag van woorde en frases in kombinasie, word ook in meer besondere bespreek. Hoofstuk 3 en 4 ondersoek die leksikaal semantiese analise van die werkwoorde -za en -ya en die verskeidenheid interpretasies wat beskikbaar is vir -za en -ya in kombinasie met die komplement argumente daarvan. Die polisemiese gedrag van die werkwoorde - za en -ya word ondersoek in sinsalternasiekonstrukusies ten opsigte van die gebeurtenis struktuur. Die leksikale representasie in terme van argument struktuur en die gebeurtenis struktuur van die werkwoorde -za en -ya in verskillende sinne met verskillende seleksiekenwerke van die subjek, word ook ondersoek. Die verskillende representasis van -ya en -za leksikon vir verskillende sinne word ook ondersoek. Hoofstuk 5 bied 'n samevatting van die studie, en gee die vernaamste bevindings van die vorige hoofstukke van hierdie studie oor die leksikaal semantise analise van die werkwoorde -za en -ya in Xhosa.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the lexical semantics of the motion verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, jikeleza and -tyibilika in Xhosa. In Chapter 1 the aims of the study are stated. Properties about the lexical semantic analysis of the verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika as well as the generative lexicon theory posited by Pustejovsky (1996) are discussed. The theoretical framework as it relates to the analyses and the organisation of study are also outlined in this chapter. Chapter 2 addresses in more detail the type system for semantics. The generative theory of the lexicon postulated by Pustejovsky includes multiple levels of representation for different types of lexical information needed. Among such levels are argument structure, event structure, qualia structure and inheritance structure. Chapter 2 also represents in more detail the qualia structure and the role they play in distributing the functional behaviour of words and phrases in composition. Chapter 3 examines the lexical semantics of the verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika to account for the range of selectional properties of the NP subject arguments of the verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika and the various interpretations that arise in terms of composition with its complement arguments. The polysemous behaviour of the verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika is examined in sentence alternation construction with respect to event structure properties. The lexical representation in terms of argument structure and event structure of the verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika in different sentences is also investigated. Chapter 4 is the conclusion of the study, and presents a summary of the findings of the previous chapters on the lexical semantic analysis of the motion verbs -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza and -tyibilika in Xhosa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die leksikale semantiek van die bewegingswerkwoorde -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza en -tyibilika in Xhosa. In Hoofstuk 1 word die doelstellings van die studie uiteengesit. Eienskappe van die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die werkwoorde -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza en -tyibilika word bespreek. Die raamwerk van die Generatiewe Leksikon teorie, soos gepostuleer deur Pustejovsky (1996) word ook bespreek. Die teoretiese raamwerk en organisasie van die studie word ook in hierdie hoofstuk uit een gesit. Hoofstuk 2 behandel in meer besonderhede die teorie van Generatiewe Leksikon, in die besonder die semantiese tipe sisteem. Die Generatiewe teorie van die Leksikon soos ontwikkel deur Pustejovsky bevat veelvuldige vlakke van representasie vir die verskillende tipes leksikale inligting benodig. Hierdie vlakke sluit in: Argumentstruktuur, Gebeurtenisstruktuur, Oualiastruktuur, en Leksikale erwingstruktuur. Hoofstuk 2 gee ook 'n meer gedetaileerde oorsig van die Oualia struktuur en die rol wat dit speel in die funksionele gedrag van woorde en frases in komposisie met mekaar. Hoofstuk 3 ondersoek die leksikale semantiek van die werkwoorde -qengqeleka, - tshona, -jikeleza en -tyibilika om 'n verklaring te gee vir die verskeidenheid seleksiebeperkings van hierdie werkwoorde en die verskeidenheid interpretasies wat na vore kom in terme van die komposisie van hierdie werkwoorde met hulle komplement argumente. Die polisemiese gedrag van hierdie werkwoorde word verder ook ondersoek met betrekking tot die gebeurtenisstruktuur ('event structure') eienskappe daarvan. Die leksikale representasie in terme van argumentstruktuur en gebeurtenisstruktuur van die werkwoorde -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza en -tyibilika in verskillende sinne word ondersoek. Hoofstuk 4 is die konklusie van die studie, en bied 'n opsomming van die hoofbevindinge van die voorafgaande hoofstukke oor die leksikaal-semantiese analises van die bewegingswerkwoorde -qengqeleka, -tshona, -jikeleza en -tyibilika. / ISISHWANKATHELO Esi sifundo siphonononga uhlalutyo Iwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yezenzi zentshukumo - qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika. UMongo wesifundo uxeliwe kwisahluko 1. Iziphumo zohlalutyo Iwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yezenzi u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika ngokunjalo nengcingane yelekhisikoni evelisayo ngokuka Pustejovsky (1996) zixoxiwe. Ubume bengcingane kunye nolungiselelo Iwesifundo zikwaxoxiwe kwesi sahluko. Isahluko 2 siyila indlela emisiweyo yohlobo Iwesemantiki yethu. Ingcingane evelisayo yelekhisikoni iquka imigangatho emininzi yenkcazelo ngokwentlobo ezahlukeneyo ezifuna ulwazi Iwesemantiki. Eminye yale migangatho lulwakhiwo Iwe-adyumenti, ulwakhiwo Iwesiyaneko, ulwakhiwo Iwekhwaliya kunye nolwakhiwo loêalo. Isahluko 2 sikwabonisa ngokucace kakhulu ngolwakhiwo Iwekhwaliya ngendima edlaliweyo ekusasazeni impatho yomsebenzi wamagama namabinzana kwindibaniso. Isahluko 3 sivavanya uhlalutyo Iwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yezenzi u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika ngokwengcaciso yodweliso Iweempawu ezikhethiweyo zeadyumenti yebinzana lesibizo esiyintloko sezenzi u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika kunye notoliko olwahlukeneyo oluvela ngokwamagama endibaniso ngokweadyumenti yemfezekiso. Impatho yentsingiselo ezininzi zezenzi u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika ivavanyiwe kulwakhiwo lotshintshwano Iwezivakalisi ngokuhlomela iimpawu zolwakhiwo Iwesiganeko. Inkcazelo yelekhisikoni ngokwamagama olwakhiwo Iwe-adyumenti kunye nolwakhiwo Iwesiganeko sezenzi u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika kwiziVakalisi ezahlukeneyo zikwaphengululiwe. Isahluko 4 sisiqukumbelo, esishwankathela iziphumo zezahluko ezingaphambili kwesi sifundo kuhlalutyo Iwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yezenzi zentshukumo u- qengqeleka, tshona, jikeleza notyibilika kwisiXhosa.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the lexical semantic analysis of -bamba, -gcina and -Iondoloza. In chapter 1 the aim of the study is stated. Properties about the lexical semantic analysis of the verbs -bamba, -geina, and -Iondoloza as well as the generative lexicon theory by Pustejovsky (1996) are discussed. The theoretical framework and the organisation of study are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 2 addresses in more detail the type system for semantics. A generative theory of the lexicon includes multiple levels of representation for different types of lexical information needed. Among such levels are Argument Structure, Event Structure, Qualia Structure and Leical Inheritance Structure. Chapter 2 also represents in more detail thé structure of qualia and the role they play in distributing the functional behaviour of words and phrases in composition. Chapter 3 examines the lexical semantic analysis of the verbs -bamba, -gcina and - londoloza to account for the range of selectional properties of the NP subject argument of these verbs, and the various interpretations that arise in terms of composition with their complement arguments. The polysemous behaviour of the verbs -bamba, -gcina and - londoloza are examined in sentence alternation constructions with respect to event structure properties. The lexical representation in terms of argument structure and the event structure of the verbs -bamba, -gcina and -Iondoloza in different sentences are also investigated. Chapter 4 is the conclusion, summarising the findings of all the previous chapters in this study on lexical semantic analysis of the 'hold' verbs -bamba, -gcina and -Iondoloza in Xhosa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die 'hou' werkwoorde - bamba, -gcina en -Iondoloza in Xhosa. In hoofstuk 1 word die doelstellings van die studie uiteengesit. Die teorie van Generatiewe Leksikon van Pustejovsky word ook kortliks bespreek, wat die teoretiese raamwerk is van di studie. Laastens word die organisasie van die studie bespreek. Hoofstuk 2 bespreek in grote besonderhede die model van Generatiewe Leksikon teorie. 'n Generatiewe teorie van die leksikon sluit in veelvuldige vlakke van representasie vir die verskillende tipes leksikale inligting wat benodig word. Hierdie vlakke van representasie sluit in die Argument struktuur, Gebeure ('Event') struktuur, Qualia struktuur en Leksikale Erf (Inheritance) struktuur. Hoofstuk 2 bied ook in meer detail die struktuur van qualia en die rol wat dit speel in die verspreiding van die funksionele gedrag van woorde en frases in kombinasie. Hoofstuk 3 ondersoek die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die werkwoorde -bamba, - gcina en -Iondoloza en die verskeidenheid interpretasies wat beskikbaar is vir hierdie werkwoorde in kombinasie met die komplement argument daarvan. Die polisemiese gedrag van die werkwoorde -bamba, -gcina en -Iondoloza word ondersoek in sinsalternasiekonstruksies ten opsigte van die gebeure ('event') struktuur. Die leksikale representasie in terme van argument struktuur en die gebeurestruktuur van hierdie werkwoorde in verskillende sinne met verskillende seleksiekenmerke van die subjek, word ook ondersoek. Hoofstuk 4 is die samevatting van die studie, wat 'n opsomming bied van die vernaamste bevindings van al die vorige hoofstukke van hierdie studie oor die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die werkwoorde -bamba, -gcina en -Iondoloza.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the lexical semantic analysis of motion verb - phuma in Xhosa. In Chapter 1 the aim of the study is stated. Properties about the lexical semantic analysis of the verb -phuma as well as the generative lexicon theory by Pustejovsky (1996) are discussed. The theoretical framework and the organisation of study are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 2 addresses in more detail the type system for semantics. A generative theory of the lexicon includes multiple levels of representation for different types of lexical information needed. Among such levels are Argument Structure, Event Structure, Qualia Structure and Inheritance Structure. Chapter 2 also represent in more detail the structure of qualia and the role they play in distributing the functional behaviour of words and phrases in composition. Chapter 3 examines the lexical semantic analysis of the verb -phuma to account for the range of selectional properties of the NP subject argument of the verb -phuma and the various interpretations that arise in terms of composition with its complement arguments. The polysemous behaviour of the verb -phuma is examined in sentence alternation constructions with respect to event structure properties. The lexical representation in terms of argument structure and the event structure of the verb -phuma in different sentences is also investigated. Chapter 4 is the conclusion, summarising the findings of all the previous chapters in this study on lexical semantic analysis of the motion verb -phuma in Xhosa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die bewegingswerkwoord -phuma in Xhosa. In hoofstuk 1 word die doelstellings van die studie uiteengesit. Die teorie van Generatiewe Leksikon van Pustejovsky word ook kortliks bespreek, wat die teoretiese raamwerk is van die studie. Laastens word die organisasie van die studie bespreek. Hoofstuk 2 bespreek in groter besonderhede die model van Generatiewe Leksikon teorie. 'n Generatiewe teorie van die leksikon sluit in veelvuldige vlakke van representasie vir die verskillende tipes leksikale inligting wat benodig word. Hierdie vlakke van representasie sluit in die Argument struktuur, Gebeure ('Event') struktuur, Qualia struktuur en Leksikale Erf (Inheritance) struktuur. Hoofstuk 2 bied ook in meer detail die struktuur van qualia en die rol wat dit speel in die verspreiding van die funksionele gedrag van woorde en frases in kombinasie. Hoofstuk 3 ondersoek die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die werkwoord -phuma en die verskeidenheid interpretasies wat beskikbaar is vir -phuma in kombinasie met die komplement argumente daarvan. Die polisemiese gedrag van die werkwoord -phuma word ondersoek in sinsalternasiekonstruksies ten opsigte van die gebeure ('event') struktuur. Die leksikale representasie in terme van argument struktuur en die gebeurestruktuur van die werkwoord -phuma ill verskillende sinne met verskillende seleksiekenmerke van die subjek, word ook ondersoek. Hoofstuk 4 is die Samevatting van die studie, wat 'n opsomming bied van die vernaamste bevindings van al die vorige hoofstukke van hierdie studie oor die leksikaal-semantiese analise van die werkwoord -phuma in Xhosa. / ISISHW ANKA THELO: Esi sifundo siphonononga uhlalutyo lwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yesenzi sentshukumo u-phuma. ISahluko 1 umongo wesifundo uxeliwe kwisahluko 1. Iziphumo zohlalutyo lwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yesenzi u-phuma ngokukaPustejovsky (1996) ZIXOXlwe. zikwaxoxiwe kwesi sahluko. ngokunjalo nengcmgane yelekhisikoni evelisayo Ubume bengcingane kunye nolungiselelo lwesifundo ISahluko 2 siyila indlela ermsrweyo yohlobo lwesemantiki yethu. Ingcingane evelisayo yelekhisikoni iquka imigangatho imininzi yenkcazelo ngokwentlobo ezahlukeneyo ezifuna ulwazi lwesemantiki. Eminye yale migangatho lulwakhiwo lwe-Adyumenti, uLwakhiwo IweSiganeko, uLwakhiwo IweKhwaliya kunye noLwakhiwo Lobalo. ISahluko 2 sikwabonisa ngokucace kakhulu ngolwakhiwo lwekhwaliya ngendima edlaliweyo ekusasazeni impatho yomsebenzi wamagama kunye namabinzana kwindibaniso. ISahluko 3 sivavanya ngohlalutyo lwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yesenzi u-phuma ngokwengcaciso yodweliso lweempawu ezikhethiweyo ze-adyumenti yebinzana lesibizo esiyintloko sesenzi uphuma kunye notoliko olwahlukeneyo oluvela ngokwamagama endibaniso ngokwe-adyumenti yemfezekiso. Impatho yentsingiselo ezininzi yesenzi u-phuma ivavanyiwe kulwakhiwo lotshintshwano lwezivakalisi ngokuhlonela iimpawu zolwakhiwo lwesiganeko. Inkcazelo yelekhisikoni ngokwamagama olwakhiwo lwe-adyumenti kunye nolwakhiwo lwesiganeko sesenzi u-phuma kwizivakalisi ezahlukeneyo zikwaphengululiwe. ISahluko 4 sisiqukumbelo, esishwankathela iziphumo zezahluko ezingaphambili kwesi sifundo kuhlalutyo lwesemantiki yelekhisikoni yesenzi sentshukumo -uphuma kwisiXhosa.

Analyses of Sotho and Xhosa seem to concentrate predominantly on morphological, tonological and phonological studies. Semantics seems to be a relatively neglected area in African Languages. It is the view of the writer that attention should now be turned increasingly to semantics. In fact, except perhaps for van Rooy's Venda work semantic field analysis does not seem to have been undertaken in African Languages. This thesis is an attempt to contribute in this particular area of linguistic analysis. In addition to that, the present study is an attempt to explore new dimensions in African language study, namely the application of componential analysis to two African languages, Sesotho and Xhosa. In general terns, the aim of the present study is to explore the relationship between language and culture. Very little seems to have been done in this particular area in African languages. In this connection the only work that comes to mind is van Rooy' s Venda work which has already been referred to above. In that work, van Rooy tries to show the integration of language and culture in the communication of the Christian message as illustrated by the Venda Bible. Perhaps with the notable exception of Siertsema there seems to be some scholarly concensus about the relationship between language and culture as the following brief survey will show. Boas, the American anthropologist, for example has investigated the interplay of the environment, cultural life and linguistic form. This be has done by comparing Kwakiutl, an American Indian language, with the Eskimo language. Lotz shows how the structure of one semantic field, or area of semantically related terms, namely numerals, can shape the goals a particular linguistic community strives for in a major cultural activity such as sports. Conklin shows how languages may differ not only in their segmentation of a semantic field e.g. colour, but also in the dimensions of semantic fields themselves. Siertsema, on the other hand, takes a different view from the above views. Only a brief summary of his views will be given here. A fuller exposition will be made in the next chapter when some theoretical issues are considered. He disputes the view that language and culture are related. It must be noted though that he does not speak specifically of culture but of a world view. He examines four "properties" of language and on their basis disputes the language - world view relationship which he eventually dismisses as showing circular reasoning. Perhaps another scholar that needs to be mentioned is Whorf who admittedly is not writing about semantic fields. His relevance to the present discussion lies in the fact that he also considers the relationship between language and other phenomena, namely thought. He writes, "We dissect nature along lines laid down by our native languages. The categories and types that we isolate from the world of phenomena we do not find there because they stare every observer in the face; on the contrary, the world is presented in a kaleidoscopic flux of impressions 'Which has to be organized by our minds - and this means largely by the linguistic systems in our minds. We cut nature up, organize it into concepts, and ascribe signfiicances as we do, largely because we are parties to an agreement to organize it in this way - an agreement that ... is codified in the patterns of our language". Whorf 's theory has been called the Dissection Theory from the opening line of the quotation that has just been referred to. Put in a nutshell, what Whorf is saying is that language has a constraining influence on thought or cognition. Or, perhaps put in another way, it is through language that reality is NECESSARILY apprehended. Thought and cognition have to be seen as necessarily dependent on language, at least in certain respects. Whorf discusses a linguistic - philosophic problem which is not really relevant to a study that addresses itself to semantic fields. In exploring the relationship between language and culture some semantic fields will be analyzed. A lexical analysis of each semantic field will then be done applying some of the insights and techniques of componential analysis. What this means, is that we shall start with vocabulary, analyze it and see through its structure the structured world of culture. The question may well be asked, why Sotho and Xhosa? Firstly, the reason for choosing these two languages is for comparison and contrast. Sotho and Xhosa belong to the same language area, traditionally known as the south-eastern zone. As a result, these two languages share certain morphological, syntactic and phonological phenomena. Because the present study is basically semantic one can also add that the choice of the two languages is meant to reveal the extent of semantic similarities and differences between them. Secondly, the writer is, so to speak, bi-cultural. He is very well acquainted with both Basotho and amaXhosa cultures firstly, because of the circumstances of his birth and secondly, because of his education. The writer is actually Sotho speaking with a Xhosa speaking mother. He also has university training in both Sotho and Xhosa, languages he can speak fluently. All these factors are mentioned here in order to lay some claim to competence in both Sotho and Xhosa. Basotho and amaxhosa live in slightly distinct worlds despite all linguistic affinities between their languages. They have slightly different perceptions of the same reality. This accounts for the difference in the organization of any selected field, however slight in some cases. This factor seems to be an indication of the fact that the conceptualization of the universe differs from language to language. This is the point that is also made by Hoijer and Lyons. Hoijer argues that the "real world" to a large extent depends, perhaps unconsciously , on the language habits of the speakers. He goes on to say that no two languages are so similar as to be considered to represent the same social reality. This naturally goes for Sotho and Xhosa as well. The world in which different peoples live are different and cannot merely be characterized as the same world with only different labels. Lyons is even more pertinent to the present study, ''Every language is integrated with the culture in which it operates; and its lexical structure reflects those distinctions which are (or have been) important in the cultures. This statement cannot be overemphasized. While the assumption will be held that language reflects culture, one may hasten to add that not every word in a language does so. For example, there does not seem to be anything particularly cultural about interjectives or about ideophones. In other words, some lexical items are more significant than others in this respect. One should therefore rather speak of lexical items as being a mirror of culture in 'a selective kind of way. As Hymes puts it, "In a particular culture a language serves as a sort of "metalanguage", a cultural way of communicating about much, not all of the culture". (Emphasis added).