Summary in Tsonga and English / Ndzavisiso lowu wu xopela xiyimo xa mavumbelo, matsalelo, mahikahatelo na mathyelo ya swikomiso na mavulwankatso eka Xitsonga hi xikongomelo xo bumabumela maringaneriselo ya swona. Switiviwa swi huma eka switshuriwa swo hambanahambana swa nomu na swo tsariwa ku katsa na swa dyondzo (swa vuvulavuri, swihlayahlaya na swihlamuselamarito) swihangalasamahungunyingi na swinavetiso etilayiburari, eswikolweni, emagondzweni, eka tibilibodo na le makhumbini ya miako.Tinxaka ta mikomiso ti kumeka eka swa vanhu (mavito, swiyimo, vuxaka), matiko, tin’hweti, masiku ya vhiki, mavito ya tiholideyi, ya tihuvo, ya mihlangano, ya tiyunivhesiti, nasw. Ku na nkomisokulu (wa switshuriwa swo leha swa ndzungulo na swa nkalandzungulo, xikombiso: xihungwana, vumbiwa) na nkomisotsongo (wa switshuriwa swo koma: xivulwa, xivulwahava, rito, xiaki, peletwana). Lowu ndzavisiso wu pakanise nkomisotsongo. Nkomisotsongo wu paluxa mikhetekanyokulu ya mune ya ‘rikhwanyano’, ‘rivulwankatso’, ‘xikomiso’ na ‘rivulwampfilungano’. Swikombiso hi nandzelelano i: ‘za’ < zela); Huriri/(HRR) < ‘Huvo ya Rixaka ya Ririmi’, na (NSFAS > En-es-FAS). Xikomiso xi tihlawulekisa hi ku peleta kumbe ku komisa hi ku tsala ntsena, rito ra kona ri vuriwa hi ku hetiseka. Rikhwanyano na rivulwankatso swona swi tihlawulekisa hi ku vuleka tanihi rito rohelela. Rivulwampfilungano ri hlanganisa rivulwankatso na xikomiso. Rixaka rin’wana na rin’wana ri tlhela ri va na swivumbeko na mahikahatelo yo hambana. Matirhiselo ya swihikahato ya ya hi milawu ya ririmi ro karhi, xikombiso: nkomiso wa rivitavito wu fanele ku sungula hi letere lerikulu. Ndzavisiso wu paluxa leswaku ku tirhisiwa ka hiko (.) swi fanele ku papalatiwa eka nkomiso hikuva hiko yi teka ndhawu leyi nkomiso wu lwelaka ku hunguta yona hileswi hiko na vangwa swi hlayiwaka tanihi xitekandhawu loko ku hlayeriwa maletere. Ndzavisiso lowu wu basisile matheme lama thyiweke mikomiso eka Xitsonga, ku engetela nhlayo ya mikomiso na ku susumeta misinya yo yi ringanerisa. Ndzi bumabumerile swilaveko na swiyila ku pfuneta vahundzuluxeri na ku va seketela hi ku famba ndzi nyika maritondzingano ya Xinghezi laha swi kotekaka. Switandzhaku swi nyika vumbhoni bya leswaku nhluvuko wa mikomiso eka Xitsonga wa tshikeleriwa hi van’wana va lava nyikiweke matimba yo kondletela ntirho wa vuhundzuluxeri, leswi koxaka ku cinca ka maehleketelo. / This study analyses the state of shortenings (abbreviations and acronyms) in Xitsonga in order to determine their formation, structure, punctuation and naming patterns with the aim of recommending standardisation strategies. The data was collected from various oral and written sources. Various types of shortenings manifest in human phenomena (names, social positions and relations), names of countries, months, weekdays, holidays, boards, organisations, universities, etcetera. There are long shortened texts (e.g. abstracts, summaries) and short texts (sentence, phrase, word, morpheme, syllable). This study focusses on the short texts. Short texts fall into four major categories: ‘compression’, ‘acronym’, ‘abbreviation’ and ‘acreviation’ (combination of acronym and abbreviation). Examples of these forms are respectively ‘za’ < ‘zela’; ‘Huriri’/HRR < ‘Huvo ya Rixaka ya Ririmi’; and NSFAS > En-es- FAS. An ‘Abbreviation’ is characterised by spelling the word letter-by-letter or using it only in writing but uttering its full form when reading, while compression and acronym are characterised by the word’s ‘pronounceability’ in normal syllables. ‘Acreviation’ describes a combination of ‘acronym’ and ‘abbreviation’. Each of these forms further reveals different structural and punctuation patterns. The use of punctuation marks depends on the rules of a specific language, for example, the shortening of a proper name has to begin with a capital letter. The study also reveals that as much as possible, the use of a period should be avoided in the abbreviation as it occupies the space which the abbreviation intends to save because a full stop and space are counted as a character when a word count is done. This study has successfully clarifies the terminology used in the naming of shortenings in Xitsonga, increases the number of shortenings and proposes standardisation guidelines. The researcher recommends do’s and don’t’s for translators and provides English equivalents where applicable. The addenda provide evidence in support of the fact that the development of abbreviations and acronyms in Xitsonga is still thwarted by some individuals who are given coordination roles in translation projects and that a change of mindset is necessary. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

Thesis (MA (African Languages))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The study explores how Grade 10 learners use the speech act of apology in an educational environment. Apologies are viewed in this study as a kind of remedial work; action taken to change what may be regarded as an offensive act into an acceptable one. Eight different strategies for complaining and twenty-one for apologising are presented with examples to illustrate each. Data was gathered using questionnaires in order to gain insight in the total number of complaint and apology strategies used. Analysis of the answered questionnaires showed that while there are strategies which are commonly used by both male and female learners, some strategies are used mostly by male learners and some mostly by female learners.

MA (Xitsonga) / Senthara ya M. E. R. Mathivha ya Tindimi ta Afrika, Vutshila ni Ndhavuko / See the attached abstract below

MA (Xitsonga) / Ehansi ka Senthara ya M.E.R. Mathivha ya Tindzimi ta Afrika, Vutshila na Mfuwo / Ndzavisiso lowu wu lava ku kombisa nkucetelo lowu Xilungu xi nga na wona eka mathyelo ya mavito ya vanhu eka Xitsonga. Ku thyiwa ka mavito ya munhu ku na ntikelo lowukulu eka vanhu hikuva ku komba ndhavuko, matitwelo, mitolovelo, maendlelo, ku navela na ripfumelo ra vanhu va rixaka ro karhi. Hi xitalo mavito ya tisa hungu ro karhi endyangwini, emugangeni kumbe etikweni; hileswaku hungu leri ri nga eka vito ri nga kongomisiwa eka n’wini wa vito kumbe eka vanhu van’wana erixakeni. EAfrika mavito a ya thyiwi ntsenantsena kambe ya thyiwa hikuva ya ri na nhlamuselo yo karhi. Ndzavisiso lowu wu kombisile switandzhaku swo biha leswi va ka kona loko Vatsonga va nga tirhisi mavito ya Xitsonga ku thya vana va vona. Ndzavisiso wu ta tlherile wu languta swivangelo leswi endlaka leswaku Vatsonga va thya vana mavito ya Xilungu. Xo hetelela, ndzavisiso wu langutile tindlela leti nga tirhisiwa ku endla leswaku Vatsonga va tirhisa mavito ya Xitsonga ematshan’wini ya Xilungu. / NRF

Thesis (Ph. D. (Translation Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Some research has been done on the intellectualisation of African languages. However, African languages are still not used enough in academia; in fact, they are undermined. They need to be developed into languages of education, economy and social interaction. This means preparing the languages for use in more advanced contexts. The aim of this study was to examine the intellectualisation of African languages at the University of Limpopo. Methodologically, this study was achieved through a qualitative-descriptive research design, with the use of semi-structured interviews to find out if the University of Limpopo was actively involved in intellectualising African languages. The data collected was analysed through thematic content analysis. The first finding is that the University of Limpopo has a language policy whose implementation requires improvement. It was found that there is no parity or equitable use of the languages of the university, mostly between African languages and English. It has been observed that African languages can improve the academic performance of students at the University of Limpopo. The study further found that the development of African languages can help students and lecturers to learn these languages, so they can communicate with each other in these languages and thereby promote multilingualism. It has been found that the University of Limpopo is a good place to promote and exercise multilingualism as it is a multicultural community. The significant point here is that there is a need to devise strategies to improve the implementation of the university’s language policy. It is concluded that the intellectualisation of African languages would help minimise (if not erase) any language barriers, particularly for those who would be working with individuals on a daily basis in their respective fields. There is a need to do campaigns to educate students about the importance of mother tongue and African languages as well as to remove the negative perceptions about these languages. One recommendation for the university is that the University of Limpopo must come up with an implementation plan to implement its language policy. One recommendation for other researchers is to come up with more strategies on how xi higher institutions of learning can implement their language policies and intellectualise African languages. / National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA)

Thesis (Ph.D. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) mandates that “the official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu” (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: 4). However, only English has continued to be used as the language of teaching and communication in almost all institution of higher education. The Language Policy for Higher Education in South Africa (DBE, 2002) calls on all institutions of higher learning to develop African languages. The Bill of Rights (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996:10) asserts that “everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice...”. In consensus with this, the Language Policy of the University of Limpopo (1996:3) mandates the institution, to uphold the legislative provision of multilingualism as defined and laid out in Section 6 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), the Language Policy and Plan for South Africa (2000). In addition, the National Language Policy Framework (2002), and the Ministerial Committee’s Report on the Development of Indigenous African Languages as Mediums of Instruction in Higher Education (2005). However, no practical plans to meet the mandates of these language policies have been made, except in the teaching of the language as a module. Many Xitsonga university students face challenging linguistic contexts when they enter institutions of higher learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students and lecturers of the use of the Xitsonga language in teaching, learning and communication at the University of Limpopo. The Xitsonga students often codemix and codeswitch during lectures and social interactions. The researcher had to identify, describe, analyse and reflect on the kinds of learning and communication practices that emerged in this context. The investigation is an ethnographic case study of the language attitudes and behaviours of the students and lecturers at the University of Limpopo. The researcher spent time with Xitsonga students and lecturers in the School of Education and in the School of Languages and Communication Studies, where Xitsonga is offered as a module. The researcher used her class in the School of Education and observed lectures in the School of Languages and Communication Studies to develop a case, which can be used to enrich an understanding of other cases. The study was qualitative in nature within interpretivism paradigm. Research techniques namely interviews, documentary analysisvii and observations were used for data collection. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) and thick descriptions were used to analyse the data coded into themes to highlight the power play between English and the indigenous languages, with particular reference to Xitsonga. The results indicated that the environment at the University of Limpopo does not afford Xitsonga students the desire and motivation required to communicate in Xitsonga. The researcher also observed that language is only recognised for greeting purposes and cultural activities. As such, most Vatsonga students do not contribute to the development of the language. The study therefore recommends that the institution language policy be revised and implemented accordingly to cater appropriate use of the SOVENGA languages. Keywords: Language Learning, Communication, Xitsonga, Indigenous African Languages, Language Policy, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation, Motivation, Attitude, SOVENGA

Thesis (Ph.D. (Translation Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Some research has been done on the intellectualisation of African languages. However, African languages are still not used enough in academia; in fact, they are undermined. They need to be developed into languages of education, economy and social interaction. This means preparing the languages for use in more advanced contexts. The aim of this study was to examine the intellectualisation of African languages at the University of Limpopo. Methodologically, this study was achieved through a qualitative-descriptive research design, with the use of semi-structured interviews to find out if the University of Limpopo was actively involved in intellectualising African languages. The data collected was analysed through thematic content analysis. The first finding is that the University of Limpopo has a language policy whose implementation requires improvement. It was found that there is no parity or equitable use of the languages of the university, mostly between African languages and English. It has been observed that African languages can improve the academic performance of students at the University of Limpopo. The study further found that the development of African languages can help students and lecturers to learn these languages, so they can communicate with each other in these languages and thereby promote multilingualism. It has been found that the University of Limpopo is a good place to promote and exercise multilingualism as it is a multicultural community. The significant point here is that there is a need to devise strategies to improve the implementation of the university’s language policy. It is concluded that the intellectualisation of African languages would help minimise (if not erase) any language barriers, particularly for those who would be working with individuals on a daily basis in their respective fields. There is a need to do campaigns to educate students about the importance of mother tongue and African languages as well as to remove the negative perceptions about these languages. One recommendation for the university is that the University of Limpopo must come up with an implementation plan to implement its language policy. One recommendation for other researchers is to come up with more strategies on how higher institutions of learning can implement their language policies and intellectualise African languages. Key words: African languages, higher education, implementation, intellectualisation, language policy, Sepedi, Tshivenda, University of Limpopo, Xitsonga. / National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA)

Thesis (M.A. (Translation and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The aim of this study was to compare anaphors between Xitsonga and English. This study was to find out if there are any similarities and differences of anaphors between Xitsonga and English. The researcher also wanted to find the functions of anaphors in Xitsonga and English, the types of anaphors, as well as surface structures and deep structures of anaphors in Xitsonga and English. The researcher looked at the syntax of Xitsonga and English focusing on anaphors. The similarities and differences were discovered, the types of anaphors in Xitsonga and English, the functions of anaphors in Xitsonga and English, as well as the surface structure and the deep structure of anaphors in Xitsonga and English were compared. The interpretation and meaning of anaphors are the same but varies in syntax constructions. The findings of the study are that there are two types of anaphors in Xitsonga and in English, which are reflexives and reciprocals. In Xitsonga, prefixes of verbs form reflexivity, for example ‘tirhandza’ (loves herself). The prefix ti- from the verb tirhandza forms reflexivity. On the other hand, reciprocals are formed by suffixes, for example; ‘rhandzana’ (love each other). The suffix -ana from the verb rhandzana form reciprocity. This means anaphors in Xitsonga are formed by verbs. English uses pronouns like ‘himself’, ‘herself’ and ‘themselves’ to identify their anaphors. The study suggests that scholars must do further research on anaphors between Xitsonga and English. Academics, linguists among others, must be interviewed as they may have better interpretation of anaphors between Xitsonga and English.

Thesis( M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to explore translanguaging patterns in Xitsonga classrooms at high schools in Mkhuhlu, specifically M.L Nkuna High School. In this study, translanguaging patterns were tracked at M.L Nkuna high school, whereby some learners almost have little or no exposure to Xitsonga at home, but they enroll for Xitsonga as Home Language (HL). The language policy of the school provides for Xitsonga as an official HL, yet there are those who speak SiSwati and other languages as their Home Languages. There is high failure rate of Xitsonga Home Language as a subject. The researcher observed lessons and conducted interviews on teachers and learners to develop the case, which may be used to enrich an understanding of other cases that include translanguaging as a pedagogic tool. The study was qualitative within transformative paradigm. The researcher observed that translanguaging was not adequately used within Xitsonga classrooms at M.L Nkuna high school. Moreover, the researcher acknowledge the view that if translanguaging was used properly in classrooms, improvement of learning experience would be realized. Moreover, the researcher views translanguaging as an integral part of the environment of M.L Nkuna High School, in order to bridge the gap between learners in multilingual classrooms. Lastly, there is a need to conduct a survey on language policies in schools

PhD (African Studies) / Centre for African Studies / It has been shown that indigenous music and dance can help one to vividly fathom the behaviour, values and morals of particular cultural groups, they perform their music and dance for various reasons. For instance, there are songs for hoeing, weeding, reaping, for children, of mockery, during game, protests, by the fireside interspersed with folktales, love songs and so on. All these songs are immersed in culture-bound indigenous music. The indigenous music and dance of the Vatsonga play a vital role, not only in their lives but also for others who enjoy indigenous Xitsonga music and dance. There exists, however gaps regarding documentation, preservation and notation of this music and dance practices. In this study, therefore, indigenous Xitsonga music and dance genres are analysed descriptively and documented (with notation of common songs) for posterity. A qualitative approach was used to conduct this musicological study. A study such as this one can also contribute towards African indigenous knowledge systems and be used by the Department of Education. / NRF