Student Number: 9603346N. Master of Arts in Translation. School of Literature and Language Studies / This research focuses on the translation of the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) news bulletins from English into Sotho languages, particularly Sepedi. The main aim of this study is to analyse the strategies, methods and approaches used by the translators. The study also tests Stephen Maphike’s 1992 hypothesis which states that the news translators translate literally or word for word, instead of translating conceptually. In order to achieve these aims both the English and Sotho versions of the news were recorded over a period of approximately two weeks, from 22nd September to 5th October 2003. The study falls within the framework of Descriptive Translation Studies, and the analysis is based on translation theories and strategies proposed by authors such as Mona Baker (1992), Peter Newmark (1991), Christiane Nord (1991 & 1997) and Gideon Toury (1980). The conclusions drawn regarding the appropriateness or otherwise of the strategies used are intended to increase an awareness of the problems involved and the solutions available to translators.

This work has taken the region of Qwaqwa as a case study. Through this study, the researcher attempted to join in the debate around language varieties that occur as a result of contact between different language groups. To achieve this objective, the factors that have an impact on Sesotho spoken in the Qwaqwa area and, in particular, in schools, have been assessed. The researcher provides a broad and general picture of the language situation and patterns of language use in the Qwaqwa area. A brief overview of the geographical description, historical background and economic development of Qwaqwa is given. Some of the linguistic phenomena that play a role in language variation in this area fall under the spotlight. Language contact, i.e. language and dialect, regional and social dialect, the use of language and the impact of language contact between languages is discussed. Patterns and the extent of language contact and the resultant effects of interference, codeswitching and borrowing as well as the processes and points at which these processes occur are identified. The major similarities and relationships between spoken and written Sesotho, as used by learners in Qwaqwa schools, is highlighted with the discussion focussing on the linguistic description of the similarities and relationships between the two forms. / African Languages / (M.A.(Afican Languages))

This work has taken the region of Qwaqwa as a case study. Through this study, the researcher attempted to join in the debate around language varieties that occur as a result of contact between different language groups. To achieve this objective, the factors that have an impact on Sesotho spoken in the Qwaqwa area and, in particular, in schools, have been assessed. The researcher provides a broad and general picture of the language situation and patterns of language use in the Qwaqwa area. A brief overview of the geographical description, historical background and economic development of Qwaqwa is given. Some of the linguistic phenomena that play a role in language variation in this area fall under the spotlight. Language contact, i.e. language and dialect, regional and social dialect, the use of language and the impact of language contact between languages is discussed. Patterns and the extent of language contact and the resultant effects of interference, codeswitching and borrowing as well as the processes and points at which these processes occur are identified. The major similarities and relationships between spoken and written Sesotho, as used by learners in Qwaqwa schools, is highlighted with the discussion focussing on the linguistic description of the similarities and relationships between the two forms. / African Languages / (M.A.(Afican Languages))