This study is concerned mainly with the nature and social functions of code-switching between Setswana and English. In Botswana, Setswana and English are utilised in conversations between speakers, resulting in the phenomenon of code-switching. Setswana is the primary language of the majority of the people in Botswana and is regarded as the national language, while English is used as the official language. The motive for the selection of English is based on the notion that this language plays an important role in social, economic and political spheres in the country. The fundamental assumption in this study is that code-switching exists as a result of social interaction and language contact amongst speakers with various linguistic repertoires. The study aims to investigate the nature and social functions of code-switching in Setswana in Botswana, especially in the areas surrounding Gaborone City. From a syntactic point of view, the study attempts to determine whether the phenomenon is random and meaningless, while from a functional perspective, it examines the reasons why bilingual speakers engage in code-switching when they interact with other bilinguals, with whom they share the same linguistic repertoire. The study is divided into five chapters. The first chapter comprises the introductory section, which includes the background, motivation, aims and statement of the problem, as well as the organisation of the study. The second chapter provides the theoretical framework of the study and includes the definition of key terms. Chapter Three explains how data was collected and includes transcripts of the speakers' conversations. The analysis, description and discussion of the data are dealt with in Chapter Four. Chapter Five provides a summary of the findings as well as the conclusion and recommendations for future studies. The problem was investigated around Gaborone City in various settings such as a church, a public bar, the National sports Stadium, the media (Radio Botswana), a furniture shop and a taxi rank. The speakers' interactions were recorded and unstructured interviews were conducted at a later stage. The speakers included people from all groups, that is gender, age and various degrees of education. The recorded conversations have been transcribed and analysed. The results have been used to gain a better understanding of the nature and social functions of code-switching. The analysis also looks at the grammatical and syntactic features of switched phrases, clauses and sentences, as well as whether the switching violates any grammatical or syntactic rules of either the host or the guest language. The switches made by the speakers also determine the social functions of code-switching in Botswana. The results show that the phenomenon is common in Gaborone City, as all the recorded speakers tend to indulge in this activity regardless of their level of education. It has been observed that, in general, the less educated people's conversations contain borrowed English words, while the conversations of the better educated sector contain larger stretches of code¬-switching in phrases and sentences. The results reveal that no violation of the grammatical structures of either language occurs during code¬-switching. It has also been found that the phenomenon occurs in all the formal and informal settings mentioned above. In a functional sense, it has been observed that Batswana switch from Setswana to English for various communicative purposes, such as an indication of level of education, a signal of authority and annoyance and to show the powerful and less powerful languages. Other reasons for the switching include the topic/subject of discussion, emphasising a particular point and the signalling of socio-economic status and prestige. The importance of these findings is that it invalidates the fears that some Batswana have with regards to code-switching in Setswana. Additionally, the research sheds new light on the importance of this phenomenon in Botswana. One of the conclusions that can be drawn from the results is that the application of code-switching strengthens and enriches the Setswana language with the new vocabulary. It is a communicative strategy used by bilingual communities in their conversations and instances such as those described above. / Dissertation (MA (Setswana): Sociolinguistics)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / African Languages / unrestricted

This dissertation focuses on the praise poem, Chief Molefi K. Pilane which appears in the following texts namely Boka Sentle (1970) which is a collection of poems by Seboni and Lekhela and Praise Poems of Tswana Chiefs (1965) by Schapera. The poem by Seboni and Lekhela discusses some of the events which are to a larger extent discussed in Schapera's poem, known as Molefi Kgafela. This is the reason why the investigation highlights specifically Schapera's poem which is broadly elaborated. The message of this poem focuses on the implementation of law and order within the Community. Although it is one of the oldest traditional praise poems, no detailed investigation has been made with regard to this poem except for a few comments by Schapera. The aim of this investigation is to focus on three levels of text. The topic concept is indicated in line 7 - 12 which highlights on the theme of this poem. There are however other extracts from the poem that are used as examples. This. investigation also focuses on the narratological model, which states that a text work has three levels namely content, plot and style. The concepts, narrative poetry, epic, ode, ballad, sonnet and praise poem also receive attention. Content is also examined. When the content is summarised to the minimum then one refers to the topic. Topic is therefore important in literary work. The four elements of the plot structure namely exposition, development, climax and denouement are discussed. Techniques employed in exposition are viewpoint, conversation, symbolism and apostrophe. These techniques focus on the message carried by this poem. Repetition is used more often in the development stage of this literary work to emphasise lack of law and order in Molefi's Community. The techniques, namely apostrophe and conversation, are employed in the climax. They are also of value as they highlight the message of the poem. Techniques employed in the denouement are elision, synecdoche and exaggeration. Their importance is shown to be their relevance to the message of the poem. The following elements, are also examined: characters, events, time and place. The characters in the plot are described in relation to specific functions which reveal both -their good and bad behaviour. Their importance is explained to be due to their responsibility with regard to the continuation of events. The events are described in such a way that the conflict between the antagonist and the protagonist is revealed and time and place are discussed to highlight the events of the poem. The third level of this literary work deals with style and meter. Style highlights the author's mood and intention. The mood in this poem is related to the advice given to Molefi with regard to good leadership. Meter is discussed on the basis of two rules namely the rule of division and the rule of symmetrical harmony. The rule of division deals with metrical devices known as pause and caesura while the law of symmetrical harmony is concerned with the number of syllables, the number of penultimate summits and repetition. In the poem, Molefi Kgafela there are stanzas and words which have similar meanings. The poem, though being a traditional poem, is characterised by a modem instrument, which is writing by using meter. Meter is therefore important in this literary work. / Dissertation (MA (Setswana))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / African Languages / unrestricted

In previous studies about the histories of the Tswana in general and those in present day south east Botswana in particular in the 19th century, some scholars either consciously or unconsciously made overstatements about the politics of war to the detriment of other crucial socio-economic factors. The settlement nexus of the Tswana especially on particular hills in present day south east Botswana has been mainly attributed to security measures against warfare which apparently appeared to be a perpetual phenomenon. Very little was said about the equally important socio-economic aspects. That was because the settlement patterns and situations of the Tswana were not a priority in the previous studies hence understatements about their socio-economic outlooks, development and adaptations. This study seeks to juxtapose, in a balanced manner, both the political and socio-economic realities in the 19th century. It has been established that whereas warfare played a crucial role in the settlement nexus of some Tswana groups on particular hills during the Mfecane and after the Boer-Bakwena war of 1852, there were other concurrent pulling factors. These included topography, prestige, adequate water supplies, the proximity of watercourses, the wide distribution of fertile soils and sustainable pastures, the abundance of iron ore deposits, wild animals and veld products, the availability and accessibility of building materials, the threats of periodic flash floods and river flooding, the diverse population densities and the magico-religious beliefs. The Tswana were fulltime, subsistence mixed farmers and part-time hunters and gatherers and as such they were, to a large extent, preoccupied with arable, pastoral, hunting and gathering activities that sustained their standard of living. To that endeavour, the Tswana had effectively occupied their chosen sites on particular hills and valleys up to today. The settlement nexus of the Tswana was well organised. The chiefs made major decisions about the need to migrate to those areas of settlement. The subsequent settlement patterns of the Tswana epitomised their socio-economic needs, cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge and vision, and administrative forms. / Dissertation (MHCS)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Historical and Heritage Studies / unrestricted

Thesis (M. A. (African Languages)) -- University of the North, 1974 / Refer to the document

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed August 2, 2007). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 321-340).

M.A. (African Languages) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This empirical study focuses – through the use of a descriptive survey – on the viability of integrating multimedia programmes in teaching Tswana at ten secondary schools in the Motheo District of the Free State Department of Education. The study sought to explore, inter alia, the progress made by schools in providing Tswana teachers with access to computers, the extent to which Tswana teachers use multimedia programmes in their daily practice and to determine the quality of Tswana multimedia programmes that are offered in the market. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie empiriese studie fokus – deur die gebruik van ‘n beskrywende ondersoek – op die lewensvatbaarheid om multimedia programme by die onderrig van Tswana by 10 sekondere skole in die departement opvoeding in die Motheo distrik van die Onderwysdepartement van die Vrystaat te integreer. Die studie het, onder meer, gepoog om vas te stel in watter mate daar al vordering gemaak is by skole om onderwysers van Tswana toegang tot rekenaars te verleen, hoeverre onderwysers van Tswana multimedia programme in hul daaglikse praktyk gebruik asook om die gehalte van multimedia programme wat vir Tswana beskikbaar is te evalueer.

African Languages / M.A. (African Studies (Linguistics))

Thesis (D.Litt. et Phil.)--University of South Africa, 1999.

The aim of this study is to analyse the dramatic skills of Malao with reference to Phithela and Motlhodi. In the process, his contribution to the development of Setswana literature will emerge. Through this critical analysis, the scholars of Setswana literature and African literature in general will note the strengths and weaknesses of Malao’s dramas and employ them to improve on future texts. The study is aimed at identifying the literary merit and giving interpretations of the texts. / Dr. H.C. Groenewald