African Languages

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An investigation into the tonal system of Zulu, with special reference to nouns.
(1956) Cope, Anthony Trevor.
No abstract available.
An analytical survey of Zulu poetry both traditional and modern.
(1959) Kunene, Raymond Mazisi.; Malcolm, M.; Cope, Anthony Trevor.
No abstract available.
Zulu phonology, tonology and tonal grammar.
(1966) Cope, Anthony Trevor.; Krige, Eileen Jensen.
Zulu belongs to the Nguni group of the Southern Bantu languages, which are spoken throughout Southern Africa. Other groups are the Suthu and the Shona, which are spoken in the interior, whereas the Nguni languages are spoken towards the south-east coast, Xhosa in the eastern part of the Cape Province, Zulu in Natal and Zululand, and Swazi in Swaziland. Swazi represents a distinct variety of Nguni speech known as "tekela", characterized by t in place of Zulu and Xhosa z, ts or tf and dz or dv in place of Zulu and Xhosa t and d, and by other phonetical characteristics, but Zulu and Xhosa are so similar that they are linguistically dialects of the same language. However, they have important separate literatures and are generally regarded as separate languages. For these reasons and for the more real reason that it is in tonal structure that they differ most greatly, this study excludes Xhosa and concentrates on Zulu only.
A preliminary survey of Zulu dialects in Natal and Zululand.
(1979) Kubeka, Isaac Sibusiso.; Cope, Anthony Trevor.
No abstract available.
C.L.S. Nyembezi's use of traditional Zulu folktales in his Igoda series of school readers.
(1985) Canonici, Noemio Noverino.; Cope, Anthony Trevor.; Koopman, Adrian.
No abstract available.
An analysis of the praises of domestic animals.
(1992) Molefe, Lawrence.; Koopman, Adrian.
It occured to me that scholars who undertake to explore praises in Zulu have centred much analysis on praises of human beings and very little on those of domestic animals. Domestic animals are very close environmental company to any Black person in South Africa, especially to those who reside in farming areas. This study demonstrates that the domestic animal merits praise because it constitutes a kind of relative and colleague to a Black person. The first chapter gives a general layout of those to follow. What one has to note in the first chapter is the assessment of the extent to which scholars have made studies towards assessing praises of domestic animals. To be more precise, about six books have been identified containing some gleanings on the praises of domestic animals . This scarcity of documented sources for these praises together with the fact that praises of domestic animals are still mainly part of oral tradition constitute the main reason prompting this study. Chapter Two analyses hopefully in depth the social aspect of praises of domestic animals. We deduce from the numerous facts emerging from the inter-relationship between owner and animal that the main reason for the existence of the praises in question, is to forge links that bind poet and animal together. Aspects discussed in Chapter Two are, among others, the purpose of praising which examines the effect of praises on both the animals themselves and the community at large. The chapter also looks at the various poets in this field, the occasions during which domestic animals are praised, and the kind of audience anticipated when praising these animals. Though almost all the poets in this regard are wholly nonliterate, the praises they compose are nevertheless rich in literary constructions. They decorate the praises with all sorts of poetic expressions. One may even imagine that the praises of domestic animals were composed by modern learned poet who composed them by transcription and had all the skills to adopt the most impressive literary forms. Chapter Four sums up the role of praises of domestic animals on society as well as the literary richness that the praises possess. On the other hand this chapter Four is also to be taken as the summary and distillation of the previous ones.
Cultural and religious contrasts and symbiosis in D.B.Z. Ntuli's short stories.
(1994) Mayekiso, Almitta Cordelia Theresa-Marie.; Nxumalo, Otty Ezrom Howard Mandlakayise.; Olivier, Theo.
No abstract available.
Tricksters and trickery in Zulu folktales.
(1995) Canonici, Noemio Noverino.; Argyle, W. John.; De Kadt, Elizabeth.
Tricksters and Trickery in Zulu Folktales is a research on one of the central themes in African, and particularly Nguni/Zulu folklore, in which the trickster figure plays a pivotal role. The Zulu form part of the Nguni group of the Kintu speaking populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Their oral traditions are based on those of the whole sub-continent, but also constitute significant innovations due to the Nguni's contacts with the Khoisan peoples and to the history that has shaped their reasoning processes. Folktales are an artistic reflection of the people's culture, history, way of life, attitudes to persons and events, springing from the observation of nature and of animal and human, behaviour, in order to create a "culture of the feelings" on which adult decisions are based. The present research is based on the concept of a semiotic communication system whereby folktale "texts" are considered as metaphors, to be de-coded from the literary, cultural and behavioural points of view. The system is employed to produce comic entertainement, as well as for education. A careful examination of the sources reveals the central role that observation of the open book of natural phenomena, and especially the observation of animal life, plays in the formulation of thought patterns and of the imagery bank on which all artistic expression is based, be it in the form of proverbs, or tales, or poetry. Animal observation shows that the small species need to act with some form of cunning in the struggle for survival. The employment of tricks in the tales can be either successful or unsuccessful, and this constitutes the fundamental division of the characters who are constantly associated with trickery. They apply deceiving patterns based on false contracts that create an illusion enabling the trickster to use substitution techniques. The same trick pattern is however widely employed, either successfully or unsuccessfully, by a score of other characters who are only "occasional tricksters", such as human beings, in order to overcome the challenge posed by external, often superior, forces, or simply in order to shape events to their own advantage. The original mould for the successful trickster figure in Kintu speaking Africa is the small Hare. The choice of this animal character points to the bewildered realization that small beings can only survive through guile in a hostile environment dominated by powerful killers. The Nguni/Zulu innovation consists of a composite character with a dual manifestation: Chakide, the slender mongoose, a small carnivorous animal, whose main folktale name is the diminutive Chakijana; and its counterpart Hlakanyana, a semi-human dwarf. The innovation contains a double value: the root ideophone hlaka points to an intelligent being, able to outwit his adversaries by "dissecting" all the elements of a situation in order to identify weaknesses that offer the possibility of defeating the enemy; and to "re-arrange" reality in a new way. This shows the ambivalent function of trickery as a force for both demolition and reconstruction. Chakijana, the small slender mongoose, is like the pan-African Hare in most respects, but with the added feature of being carnivorous, therefore a merciless killer. He makes use of all its powers to either escape larger animals, or to conquer other animals for food in order to survive. Hlakanyana, being semi-human, can interact with both humans and animals; Chakijana is mostly active in an animal setting. The unsuccessful trickster figure in Kintu speaking Africa is Hyena, an evil and powerful killer and scavenger, associated in popular belief with witches by reason of his nocturnal habits and grave digging activities. The Nguni/Zulu innovation is Izimu, a fictional semi-human being, traditionally interpreted as a cannibal, a merciless and dark man eater. Izimu is another composite figure, prevalently corresponding to Hyena, from which he draws most of his fictional characteristics. The figure further assimilates features of half-human, half-animal man-eating monsters known in the folklore of many African cultures, as well as the ogre figure prevalent in European tales. The anthropophagous aspect, taken as its prevalent characteristic by earlier researchers, is a rather secondary feature. The innovation from a purely animal figure (Hyena) to a semi-human one allows this character to interact mostly with human beings, thus expressing deeply felt human concerns and fears. Trickery is the hallmark of comedy, the art of looking at life from an upside-down point of view, to portray not the norm but the unexpected. Thus the metaphors contained in trickster folktales, as expressions of comedy, are rather difficult to decode. The ambivalence, so common in many manifestations of African culture, becomes prevalent in these tales. Human tricksters, who try to imitate the trick sequence, are successful if their aims can be justified in terms of culture and tradition; but are unsuccessful if their aims are disruptive of social harmony. Ambivalence is also predominant in "modern" trickster folktales, and in some manifestations of the trickster themes in recent literature. The trickster tradition is an important aspect of the traditions of the Zulu people, permeating social, educational and literary aspects of life and culture. The Nguni/Zulu innovations of Hlakanyana/Chakijana and of Izimu point to the dynamic and inner stability of the culture, a precious heritage and a force on which to build a great future.
Language variation in Zulu: a case study of contemporary codes and registers in the greater Durban area.
(1995) Zungu, Phyllis Jane Nonhlanhla.; Msimang, C. T.; Maartens, Pieter Johann.
This study has been an attempt to clarify a number of basic problems regarding the phenomena of Language Variation and their implications for linguistic usage. The data were collected in the GDA. Very little has been done on Language Variation in Zulu owing to lack of interest in Sociolinguistics in the middle of this century. A study of this nature is imperative because language planners have to design policies for the Government of National Unity in South Africa.There are two very important aspects to National Language Policies. These comprise the ideological aspect, which is concerned with mobilising the nation's sentiments and attitudes towards the acceptance and use of selected speech forms. The second aspect involves the technical side, which looks at the practical elements which are concerned with the problems of implementing the ideology (Whiteley 1963: 150). In order to fulfill the foregoing ideals, we had to look for applicable aims and objectives of Language Variation. The main objectives were: (a) to identify at least seven domains where different language varieties were employed in the Black Durban speech community; (b) to investigate the social attitude of the Black Durban speech community towards CCR's; (c) to trace the origin of and development of the non-standard varieties which are employed by the Black Durban speech community; (d) To investigate the impact of CCR's on the economy, and social conditions prevailing in the GDA. In order to achieve the foregoing objectives, the term 'Language Variation' and its dynamics had to be clarified. Empirical studies on research methodologies had to be resorted to in order to give a sound base to the theoretical framework. A number of theories were explored and they were found to be applicable to Contemporary Codes and Registers employed by the Black Durban speech community. These comprised speech accommodation, cognitive uncertainty, affective reinforcement, gain-loss, social identity, functionalist and interactionist theories. In order to test these theories, I resorted to ethnomethodological and ethnographic approaches to empirical research. The choice of these approaches was to capture data on CCR's in the most objective and valid manner. The next step was to take a deep plunge into field work. I became a participant observer in a number of domains around the Durban Metropolitan area. Interviews with prominent Zulu speakers were also conducted in order to obtain their input towards CCR's. The research was conducted in seven Black townships, situated in the GDA. In addition to this, research was conducted in Westville prison, transportation modes, hospitals, streets, taverns, educational units, and in soccer clubs. I entered the aforementioned domains as a 'friend of a friend' a lecturer, or an ex-class teacher in order to become a participant observer in various activities of the Black Durban speech communities. In addition to this, written questionnaires were administered and answered by respondents. The aim of the questionnaire survey was to measure the magnitude of linguistic transformations in the GDA. Another aim was to capture the attitude of the Black Durban speech community towards non-standard varieties of Zulu. Interviews were also conducted for the same purpose. Checklists were also resorted to in order to secure valid and objective information. The collection and analysis of data alone was not adequate in accounting for Language Variation. Bokamba, (1988:21) mentions that we need data on the communicative behaviour of speakers - the whys and how's of ..... [Language Valiation]. A description of the social context of CCR's as observed in the Black speech community of the GDA was exposed. This involved a presentation of the origins and development of linguistic CR's used in the GDA. CR's included slang, Tsotsitaal/isiLovasi, jargon, borrowing, interlarding, neologisms, which were covered under the term CCR's. The linguistic make up, characteristics and classification of CCR's were also carried out. I had to identify the speakers of CCR's in the various targeted domains, where they are employed, as well as the topics which are normally discussed by the interlocutors. Socio-psychological functions of CCR's as spoken in the targeted areas were uncovered. It was revealed that CCR's entail elaborate and rich linguistic forms. They incorporate everyday situations thus recording the activities of people at a particular era in the history of mankind. At least 75% of the 800 collected lexical items which were regarded as non-standard and filtered talk were found to be known and used by most Black Durban speakers. School children were found to have carried these CCR's to the classroom situation where they were penalised for employing them.
Uchibidolo : the abundant herds : a descriptive study of the Sanga-Nguni cattle of the Zulu people, with special reference to colour-pattern terminology and naming-practice.
(1996) Oosthuizen, Marguerite Poland.; Koopman, Adrian.; Sienaert, Edgard Richard.
Sanga-Nguni cattle have been present in Southern Africa for more than seven hundred years. They are the cattle traditionally owned by the Zulu people and have always been of great cultural and economic significance. They are distinguished by their hardiness and adaptability and are characterised by the great variety of their colours and patterns. This dissertation is a study of Sanga-Nguni cattle with special reference to colour pattern terminology and naming-practice in Zulu. More than three hundred terms in Zulu denote colour-pattern, horn-shape and type of beast. There are also a great number of terms for animals used for ritual purposes, especially those connected with the practice of ukulobola, in which cattle are exchanged during marriage negotiations. Many of these names, particularly those which refer to colour-pattern, are richly metaphorical, using imagery and analogy which connect the cattle with the birds, animals and plants that share their environment. Both archival and field sources have been employed to document as many of these names as possible and to classify them according to cultural significance, type, colour-pattern configuration and metaphorical content. Cattle names cannot be appreciated in isolation and in order to understand the complexity of the Zulu terminology, the significance of cattle in the cultural and economic life of the Zulu people as well as their biology and history has also been described. 'Cattle lore' concerning beliefs about cattle and perceptions of them in the cosmology of the Zulu people are recorded. The role of cattle in the oral tradition and cattle imagery in proverbs, poetry and tales as well as the praises of cattle themselves, have been explored in overview and provide insight into how the Zulu people perceive their herds. The dissertation is divided into four sections: i) Research setting ii) Pastoralism in Zulu society iii) Colour-pattern terminology and related naming-practice iv) perceptions of cattle and the role of cattle in the oral tradition. Although this is a primarily a language study, the subject of which is the documenting and analysis of the vast range of cattle terms found in Zulu, it is also a study of the role of cattle in Zulu society and their significance in the thought patterns of the people who own them and with whom they have lived in such close contact for so many centuries.
Homestead names as a reflection of social dynamics in Mabengela, Nkandla.
(1999) Shabalala, Mbali Aldromeda.; Koopman, Adrian.
Homestead naming has been a Zulu practice since the days of King Shaka. Although this practice has been abandoned by some of the Zulus especially those living in urban areas, it still exists in some rural areas e.g. Mabengela. This study on ''Homestead names as a reflection of social dynamics in Mabengela, Nkandla" , is divided into five chapters. The first chapter 'Introduction' looks at both the introduction to the thesis and also the introduction to the research area. It looks at the methodology used in this study and also gives a brief background of the life people in Mabengela live. The second chapter 'The Zulu homestead and its social organisation' pays particular attention to the Zulu homestead. It looks at the construction of a Zulu hut, the arrangement of huts in the homestead, the importance of the cattle kraal, etc. It also looks at the division of labour within the Zulu homestead and the importance of each member of the family in making things run smoothly in the homestead. Chapter three 'Morphological analysis of homestead names' looks at the linguistic features of homestead names. It looks at the difference between nouns and names, the locative prefixes and suffixes used in homestead names and also looks different stems that homestead names have. This chapter also focuses on homestead names as a morphological exception. The last but one chapter 'The aetiology of homestead names' looks at homestead names as a reflection of social dynamics in the community of Mabengela. It pays particular attention to the reasons for name-giving, time for naming the homestead, etc. It also looks at the different categories in which homestead names in Mabengela have been categorised and what these names reflect about the community of Mabengela. The last chapter is the conclusion of the dissertation.
The influences of traditional medicine in relation to its various use by the African societies : a review of Zulu novels.
(2000) Ntshangase, Sicelo Ziphozonke.; Ngubane, Sihawukele Emmanuel.
Traditional medicine, unlike western medicine, is not merely concerned with physical illness, but it is used for various purposes. For instance: It can be used for lkuthwala' (the process whereby a person consults a traditional doctor for the medicine that will make a person very rich). The practice of 'ukuthwala' has numerous disavantages, especially because of the price that is paid in return of the wealth accumulated. The price is usually a human sacrifice, depending on what version of Ukuthwala' a person has opted for. Traditional medicine can also be used for witchcraft (ukuthakatha),for protection against evil spirits (ukuqinisa) , for making someone love you, for job opportunities, and for inspiration of the army. It can be either used for good or evil purposes. The dissertation looks at both versions by strongly drawing examples from Zulu novels. Other issues raised in this study is the importance of religion and cosmology, culture, magic, as well as spiritual healing, in association with traditional medicine. The Africans believe in the spirit world. They believed that for people to communicate with 'Mvelinqangi ' (God) there should be 'amadlozi' (the ancestors), who should intercede with God on their behalf. Usually, they call a sangoma' (medium) or 'inyanga' (medicine-man) to perform the religious ritual, or he would just instruct the elder person in the family how to carry out the procedure of communicating with the ancestors (Canonici, 1996). Traditional medicine has its own professional ethics. These ethics are also discussed in the research.
Meaning behind the use and wearing of traditional beadwork at Msinga Area.
(2000) Zungu, Bonisile Pretty Khethiwe.; Ndimande-Hlongwa, Nobuhle Purity.; Zungu, Phyllis Jane Nonhlanhla.
A study was conducted to determine the meaning that the people of Msinga area assign to the use and wearing of traditional beadwork. Many people in most areas of our country have adopted the western culture which brought along with it Christianity that led to a decline in the wearing and the use of traditional beadwork. Western civilization also divided the community into two categories, where one finds people who still adhere to traditional culture and those that are westernized. The question that this study aimed to address is to find out whether the people of Msinga area that are still adhering to their traditional culture still value the use and wearing of traditional beadwork. If they do so, what meaning do they assign to any type of beadwork they make and wear? Findings were that those people of Msinga area that are still adhering to their traditional culture, still value the use and wearing of traditional beadwork, and that they have an influence to those that are westernized who are now considering wearing their traditional beadwork as well.
Reclaiming our names : shifts post-1994 in Zulu personal naming practices.
(2000) Ngubane, Sihawukele Emmanuel.; McDermott, Lydia E.
The thesis underpinning this dissertation was that, as in previous times of major social and historical change, naming practices amongst the Zulu have undergone significant changes since the advent in 1994 of a democratic govemment in South Africa. Since the democratisation process entails freedom for all, it was suspected that a differentiation process was developing within the Zulu group itself and that there were at least three broad economic groups: rural, 'rich-urban', and 'poor urban'. Fieldwork was undertaken in terms of these groups and the data obtained, analysed, and then compared and contrasted in order to identify differences and similarities and to measure shift away from traditional practices. What is apparent from the research is that while there is clear evidence of shift, the shifts that do exist, differ from group to group. The group which shows the least change is the rural, as was expected. The urban groups are fragmented into several sub-groups, most of whom differ from one another in their motivations for the changes they are making, although these seldom appear to have been made consciously.
Ukwenziwa kwesichazimagama sesilengi olimini lwesizulu : Specialised lexicography with reference to the Zulu slang.
(2000) Simelane, Jabulani Daniel.; Zungu, Phyllis Jane Nonhlanhla.; Sitaram, Rambhajun.
The research 'Specialized Lexicography with reference to the Zulu Slang' focuses on the aspects of language development which have not yet been considered in isiZulu language. The study also tries to uncover how other languages have benefited from slang words. Linguistic, lexicographical and psycho-social theories have been used in this study to guide the analysis and interpretation of the data. Fromkin and Rodman's (1978) general linguistic theory states that for one to understand one's humanity, one must understand the language that makes one human. The only specific theory of lexicography is that of Zgusta (1971). This theory says that lexicography is connected with all language disciplines. However, there are other theories that have been used like Symbolic Interaction Theory by Mead (1934) which focuses on the way in which people interact with others. Attraction Theory has been used. This theory states that some people get attracted to others, while some incur losses during the process. The Attraction Theory by Grush, Clore, and Costin, (1988) is a psychological theory which proposes that it is human nature to be attracted to things which come easily. Data was collected by means of the participant observation method so that naturally occurring data could be observed and noted. In the case of slang, speakers use this subconsciously at most times. Hence, this method proved to be the best and most reliable method for collecting primary data. The findings of the study indicates that slang words have a major contribution in a language development. Zulu slang words are constantly being used in texts, television and radio. Hence, these words are very much part of Zulu language development and change. However, they have not been documented in a dictionary or otherwise. The main conclusion of the study is that Zulu slang words are part and parcel of many Zulu speakers vocabulary. This, therefore, creates the need for documentation of these words in a dictionary viz. a dictionary of Zulu slang. The following recommendation are made: 1. The formulation of a Zulu Slang Dictionary is an imperative. 2. Other African languages should also pursue such an endeavor. 3. NRF, PANSALB and other language related councils should not only focus on the standardization of languages, but ought also to focus on the development of non-standard varieties e.g. Slang, these institutions should also offer funding with regard to such developments.
The influence of selected English romantic poets in B.W. Vilakazi's poetry.
(2001) Ngidi, Evangeline Bonisiwe.; Koopman, Adrian.
B.W. Vilakazi is regarded by many literary critics as the best poet of his time, who had he lived longer, would have marked his living years the Vilakazi era. It is for this reason that I decided to embark on the study of his poetry, and that which influenced him, mainly the English Romantic Poets. In doing this research I also emphasised typical aspects of Romantic poets so as to clarify whether Vilakazi does fall under this category (Romantic category). In the introduction of Inkondlo kaZulu Gumede remarks thus on B.W. Vilakazi's poetry: "UVilakazi tstqungo sokwakha izosha lezi usithole esiblgisini. Usebenzisa isiZulu kanye nemizekeliso yaso namalutha, ekhombisa ithuba lokuqhuba isiZulu sibe nenkinga yaso yezincwadi noma izosha lezi zincikile esiNgisini. Ube nesibindi sokuzisukela aqambe lolu hlobo lwezibongo zesiZulu wangagudluka endleleni endala." (l935:vi) "Vilakazi gets his poetic inspiration from English. He uses Zulu images and superstitions to show that Zulu can have its own literature even though it is related to English. It is very brave of him to compose new genre in Zulu praises, without diverting from the original version by older poets." The scope of the study will be as follows: Chapter One is an introductory chapter which includes: the aim of the study; preamble, literature review, research methodology, biographical notes on Vilakazi, Vilakazi's literary works (novels, anthologies of poetry, articles in journals), Vilakazi's lexicographical work (the Dictionary), Vilakazi's influences (his own personal experiences, traditional poetry, traditional prose narrative, Biblical influences and mostly the English Romantic Poets). This chapter includes the definition of Poetry and the definition of a poet, definition of a Bard 'Imbongi', it also defines Romanticism (as a movement and as a concept); and it gives various critical views on RW. Vilakazi. Chapter Two deals with the influence of English Romantic Poets on Vilakazi, and looks at certain poems of Wordsworth, Keats and Shelley. Chapter Three deals with Vilakazi as a Romantic poet (certain Poems with Romantic aspects). Chapter Four is the Conclusion looking at the extent that the Romantic poets influenced Vilakazi's writing.
Ukuqhathaniswa kwezibongo zabantu basentshonalanga-Afrika, Empumalanga- Afrika Nezabasemzansi-Afrika Njengenkomba yesiko lobuzwe obubodwa base- Afrika.
(2001) Ndimande-Hlongwa, Nobuhle Purity.; Zungu, Phyllis Jane Nonhlanhla.
This research is entitled «A comparative study of Western, Eastern and Southern African surnames as a reflection of African identity" In this study the researcher looked at the historical Origins of surnames in the world, making references of countries including Britain, Scotland, China and India. The researcher then came to the African continent, where she targeted Western, Eastern and Southern Africa as areas of research. The reason for choosing these three parts of Africa is because they fall under the largest language family in the continent i.e. Niger-Kordofanian. The analysis of the findings reveals some similarities between naming practices among Western, Eastern and Southern African Kintu language groups. In the analysis of African surnames, it came out very clear that in these three parts of Africa most surnames are derived from people's names, especially male names; time of the day; animal names; weather condition and from natural phenomenon. Looking at African traditional religion, it came out from the research that in these three parts of Africa there are three categories of religion i.e. Christianity, African religion and Islamic religion. In this particular research religion came through because the findings reveal that religion had an important impact on naming in Western, Eastern and Western Africa and also in other countries in Europe as well. This research gives a proof that Bantu/Kintu languages spoken in Western, Eastern and Southern Africa are related due to common origin from the ancestor language called Proto Bantu. The language relations and the common origin from one ancestor language resulted in similar cultures and similar naming practices among the three parts of Africa. IQOQA Isihloko salolu cwaningo sithi! "Ukuqhathaniswa kwezibongo zaseNtshonalanga-Afrika, eMpumalanga-Afrika, naseMzansi-Afrika njengenkomba yobuzwe obubodwa base-Afrika". Kulolu phando umcwaningi ubheke umlando wokudabuka kwezibongo emhlabeni, ube esegcizelela ukudabuka kwezibongo eBrithani, eScotland, eChina naseNdiya. Umcwaningi ube esebuya eza ezwenikazi i-Afrika lapho eqoke khona ukusebenzisa amazwe aseNtshonalanga-Afrika, eMpumalanga-Afrika naseMzansi-Afrika. Isizathu sokuqoka lezi zizinda ezintathu e-Afrika ngesokuthi amazwe alapha angena ngaphansi komndeni omkhulu e-Afrika obizwa ngokuthi i-Niger-Kordofanian. Uma kuhlaziywa okutholakele ngokocwaningo kuyatholakala ukuthi kukhona ukwefanana ezindleleni ezisetshenziswayo uma kwethiwa amagama nezibongo eNtshonalanga-Afrika, eMpumalanga-Afrika naseMzansi-Afrika. Kutholakale. futhi ukuthi izibongo eziningi zethiwe zisuselwa emagameni abantu, ikakhulukazi emagameni abantu besilisa; esikhathini sosuku, emagameni ezilwane, esimweni seZulu kanye nasezintweni eziyimvelo. Kuthe uma sekubhekwa ngeso lenkolo yase-Afrika kwatholakala ukuthi zintathu izinhlobo zenkolo ezikhona : inkolo yobuKristu, yeSintu neyamaSulumane. Kulolu cwaningo, inkolo ingene ngoba kutholakale ukuthi ineqhaza elikhulu elibambile ekwethiweni kwamagama eNtshonalanga"Afrika, eMpumalanga-Afrika naseMzansi-Afrika kanye nakwamanye amazwe eYurophu. Lolu cwaningo lunikeza isiqiniseko sokuthi izilimi zabantu ezikhulunywa eNtshonalanga-Afrika, eMpumalanga-Afrika naseMzansi-Afrika zihlobene ngenxa yokudabuka kukhokho oyedwa wolimi. Ubuhlobo obudalwe ulimi ngokudabuka ndawonye yilona olungumphumela wamasiko kanye nezindlela zokwetha amagama nezibongo ezifanayo eNtshonalanga-Afriaka eMpumalanga-Afrika, naseMzansi-Afrika.
The non-productive verbal extensions in Zulu : a study in derivational morphology.
(2001) Shangase, Sibusiso Elphus.; De Kadt, Elizabeth.
Verbal extensions are well-known to play a most substantial role in the derivation and/or inflection of verbs in contemporary Zulu. Less well-known and less well investigated are a group of verbal derivatives which in former times played a significant role in derivation but which can no longer be freely attached to verbal stems: the non-productive verbal extensions (NPEs.) This thesis seeks to present and discuss all aspects of these NPEs from the perspective of their persisting roles in contemporary Zulu. This is undertaken on the basis of an extensive collection of currently-used verbs derived by means of NPEs, which is presented in the Appendix. Chapter 1 locates the study within the context of verbal extensions as a whole, and reviews the literature, which has focussed primarily on those verbal extensions which are still used productively today. Chapter 2 presents the theoretical framework for the investigation, considering issues such as productivity, derivation and inflection, and some relevant aspects of the theory of derivational morphology, currently under development. The following chapters focus in turn on the morphology of the NPEs, their current use in combination with productive extensions, the most salient aspect of their syntax, transitivity, and their meaning. NPEs have become fully integrated into Zulu vocabulary, and are used on a daily basis with no awareness of their earlier roles. Nevertheless, as this thesis demonstrates, a study of NPEs can explain both certain regularities and certain anomalies in word formation , in transitivity, and in the meaning of extended verbs in contemporary Zulu.
A critical study of Elliot Zondi's historical dramas.
(2001) Ntshangase, Duduzile Audrey.; Maphumulo, Abednego Mandlenkosi.
The study concentrate on a critical analysis of Elliot Zondi's historical dramas, Insumansumane and Ukufa KukaShaka. The study constitutes an attempt to apply the theoretical approaches. The plays have been chosen only for reasons of my personal acquaintance. The whole study is divided into six chapters. Chapter one focuses on the general introduction. The general introduction will cover the aim of the study, research methodology, historical background of the plays, definition of terms and the biographical notes of the author. At the end of this chapter there will be a conclusion. Chapter two, deals with theme. The theme covers the following sub topics: title in relation to theme, the comparison between the theme and plot, theme and style, theme and dialogue, theme and characters, types of themes such as: theme of loyalty, theme of poverty, love, political violence and the moral lesson found in Elliot Zondi's historical drama books. Chapter three concerns itself with style and dialogue. Style and dialogue will look at the sentence construction, language, figures of speech, title and symbolism. Chapter four concentrates on plot and characters, which covers exposition, motoric moment, conflict, complication, tension, climax, suspense in the title, beginning, the middle and the end of the play, characterization, naming of characters, types of characters, kinds of characters and the development of characters. Chapter five deals with setting, which covers time, place and social circumstances. There will be a short summary, which leads to the discussion of the following chapter. Chapter six focuses on the general conclusion.
A critical analysis of N.F. Mbhele's one-act plays.
(2001) Khumalo, Ellie.; Maphumulo, Abednego Mandlenkosi.
This thesis investigates the appropriateness and the accuracy of Mbhele's artistry in writing his one-act plays from Izivunguvungu Zempilo, Ishashalazi and Ezemihla Nayizolo. It considers the formal literary elements which include characterisation, themes, setting, plot, dialogue and style of the writer inclusive of the language that has been used. It also involves different kinds of themes that are revealed by this dramatist in his work. His themes cover all the aspects of life. This includes the exploration of the previous political situation and its effect on the lives of the people, the effect of the Western influences on black South Africans and the people's perspectives on education and religion. The theoretical framework that has been used in this study is the historical-biographical approach. The interview with the author has been very helpful in this regard. The purpose of the interview has been to develop some kind of understanding of the author's own ideas, his early life experiences, his educational background, and the sense of the situation the author writes about. This study consists of six chapters; the first chapter serves as the general introduction for the whole thesis. The author's biographical notes, the identification and the discussion of the research methodology and the definition of some important terms, form part of chapter one. In each chapter, there is an explicit explanation of each formal literary element in relation to Mbhele's one-act plays. Chapter two deals with both characterisation and plot, because plot deals with all the events in a story and the way in which these events are connected. All the events in a story involve the characters. Chapter three investigates the themes that are found in Mbhele's one-act plays, and the ways in which they are revealed. Chapter four consists of the dialogue and style of the writer, which includes his use of the language and the form of address used by the characters to address each other. Chapter five discusses the social background of the characters in relation to what they do in the plays. This includes their given social circumstances, the time and the place which the writer has created for them. Chapter six is the general conclusion for the whole study. It includes the summary, observation and some implications for further research.

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