Event verbalization in isiZulu L1 and English L2: a comparative analysis with special reference to tense and aspect.

Abstract

The current study investigates the verbalization of a series of events which culminate into a hypothetical laboratory incident at Mangosuthu University of Technology. The verbalization is in isiZulu (L1) and English (L2). Verbalizing events involves locating events in time as they evolve. As such, verbalization involves the use of tense frames to refer to an event in the past, present or future. The study, thus, focuses on the use of English tenses by isiZulu L1 speakers. A comparison is made in the verbalization of events using English and isiZulu. The study aims at investigating whether isiZulu L1 speakers conceptualize and verbalize events in the same way in both English and isiZulu. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilized in the process of this investigation. The findings thereof, will add to a pool of knowledge not only in the learning and teaching of second languages, including English, and assist educators thereof in deciding what best practices may be in the learning and teaching of a second language from the base of prior knowledge of the specific first language and all the related implications, more so in South Africa where an attempt is being made to bring all languages on par. Lolucwaningo luphenya indlela yokulanda ngokwenzeka kwezigameko ezigcina ngokudala okuzenza sangozi e-laboratory eNyuvesi yobucwepheshe i-Mangosuthu. Ukulanda kwenziwa ngesiZulu (ulimi lwebele) kanye nesiNgisi (ulimi lwesibili). Ukulanda ngezigameko kumbandakanya ukuveza izikhathi izigameko ezenzeke ngazo. Ngakho-ke, ukulanda kukhombisa ukusebenza kwezinkathi njengokwenzeka kwezigameko: inkathi edlule, inkathi yamanje noma inkathi ezayo. Ngakho-ke, lolucwaningo lubheke ngqo ukusetshenziswa kwezinkathi zesiNgisi ilabo abakhuluma ulimi lwesiZulu njengolimi lwebele. Lolucwaningo luhlose ukubheka ukuthi labo abakhuluma ulimi lwesiZulu njengolimi lwebele bakubuka bese bekulanda ngendlela efanayo yini ukwenzeka kwezigameko uma besebenzisa ulimi lwesiNgisi kanye nolwesiZulu. Lolucwaningo lusebenzise izindlela ezimbili zokucwaninga, e-qualitative ne-quantitative. Okuzotholakala kuzonezela emthonjeni wolwazi ayi kuphela ekufundiseni nasekufundisweni kolimi lwesibili, okuhlanganisa nolimi lwesiNgisi, kuzophinde kulekelele abafundisi ekuqhamukeni nezindlela ezingcono zokufunda nokufundisa ulimi lwesibili besebenzisa ulwazi lolimi lwebele kanye nokuyimithelela yalo. Lokhu kuzosiza kakhulu kambe eMzansi Afrika lapho kunombhidlango wokufukula izilimi zesintu zonke zibe sezingeni elifanayo.