Thesis (M. A. (African Languages)) -- University of the North, 2002 / Refer to document

Thesis (M. A. (African Languages)) -- University of the North, 1993 / Refer to the document

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / Refer to document

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / Refer to the document

Thesis (Ph.D. (Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / This thesis endevours to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of the language policy of South Africa as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa (1996) with special reference to Tshivenda. It is for this reason that an effort has been exerted to analyse the application of the aforementioned language policy pertaining to Tshivenda in areas such as social life, education and the business world. The study argues that as one of the eleven (11) official languages of South Africa Tshivenda deserves to be treated with the respect that it deserves. The study has clearly shown that Tshivenda is currently not fully enjoying the status that is accorded to it by the Constitution of South Africa (1996) because of multifold factors and reasons. One of these is that the business world does not derive much profit from the use of Tshivenda as it is seen as a minority language. In addition, the study has discovered that there are problems associated with translation as most of the time the translation is of a poor standard. It is thus crucial that translation must be conducted by people who have undergone professional training. Furthermore, a major stumbling block with regard to the use of Tshivenda in South Africa is the prevailing negative attitude that speakers of African languages harbour towards African languages in general. This does not come as a surprise as many African people still look down upon their languages as they are mostly regarded as backward and unsophisticated. This is why English is still dominant in many areas as people view it as a passport to green pastures. The study has indicated that the Constitution of South Africa (1996) clearly stipulates that all official languages should be used in all spheres of life where it is practicable. This implies, among others, the right of learners to be taught in their mother tongue. Although a large number of respondents are of the view that the use of English should not be tampered with, it is heartening to deduce that some people are now supporting the idea that Tshivenda should be used in all official communication. Finally, the study recommends the use of Tshivenda in social, educational and economic settings as this will indeed be a proof that Tshivenda-speaking people are also enjoying the fruits of the new democratic dispensation in South Africa.

Thesis (M.A. (African languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / A critical analysis of the Revised National Curriculum Statement Grades R-9 (2002) and the Tshitatamennde tsho Sedzuluswaho tsha Kharikhulamu Gireidi R-9 (2002) has revealed that the role of equivalence in translation cannot be taken for granted. In the study, various types of translation equivalence, such as connotative, textual, dynamic and formal, are examined. The examination reveals that formal equivalence is the type of equivalence in which the source text has a corresponding word in the target language, whereas the dynamic equivalence occasionally translates texts out of context because it does not take into account the context of the text. The study also deals with translation methods such as word–for-word, idiomatic, semantic, and communicative. The role of equivalence in their use is examined. The study also reveals that some methods are not suitable because they distort the meaning, depending on the context of the text. The communicative method has been found to be the most suitable method in translation because it is the kind of method that fulfills the purpose of translation, which is communicative equivalence.This study also highlights the issue of technical translation in aspects such as assessment, learning areas, learning outcomes, and assessment standards. The analysis reveals that the translation of a technical term by another technical term has flaws, some of them are, namely, ambiguity and the distortion of information. The study also reveals that a technical term should be translated by a descriptive term.

Thesis (M.A. (Translation studies and linguistics)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / This mini-dissertation describess the phonological structure of Tshimanḓa dialect, comparing it with the standard Tshivenḓa. The study shows the historical background of Tshimanḓa dialect and also points out that Tshimanda is a dialect spoken by Vhalaudzi of Lwamondo, Gwamasenga, Tshimbupfe and Luonde in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study has revealed two aspects which characterise Tshimanda dialect. Tshimanda dialect is characterized by the omission of two speech sounds, namely, ‘l’ and ‘w’. In some instances the omission of the speech sound ‘l’ in Tshimanda dialect gives a word a different meaning than the one in standard Tshivenda.

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The mini-dissertation investigated the role played by an aunt in African Culture with special reference to Tshivenḓa. The study has discovered that an aunt played an important role in a family. Nowadays, other people are involved in the role played by makhadzi. This seems as if the community is confused about the role of makhadzi

Thesis (M.A.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study dealt with enrichment of Tshivenḓa language through adoption of words from other languages such as English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Tsonga, Zulu and many more. The study discovered that no language can remain static forever and this applies to Tshivenḓa as well. Every successive generation makes its own small contribution to language change and when sufficient time has elapsed the impact of these changes becomes more obvious. It however cautions that borrowing of words should not be overdone as this may lead to the disappearance of Tshivenḓa as we know it.

Abstract available in pdf file.