JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre (JULACE) is an international, scholarly, diamond open-access, peer-reviewed bi-annual publication. The journal aims at providing a publishing avenue especially for emerging academicians, researchers and scholars in the fields of language education, linguistics, and related disciplines such as translation, literary and other cultural studies such as film. The Journal broadly covers language research and teaching. It aims to be the leading academic journal that presents research outcomes and discusses modern, national and international languages. Through a rigorous peer reviewing process that ensures no plagiarism, JULACE strives to assist dedicated researchers and lecturers of languages and other related fields (including literature, film and music) to skillfully write and submit quality original papers. JULACE also accepts book reviews, other review articles, think pieces, and short fiction/poems. Besides appraising new, major publications, especially from Namibian authors, the reviews are also meant to critically inform JULACE’s readers of the current theories, trends, and practices from elsewhere in the academic/research world. Although available in print form, JULACE has, among others, a strong indexing policy that strives to create visibility of the papers that are published in it through its open access and online availability.
Stakeholders’ concerns regarding the standard of Sign Language interpretation in Zimbabwe’s Justice System: Implications for access to justice
This qualitative study investigates three issues related to court interpreting in Zimbabwe's justice system. It examines stakeholders' concerns about the quality of interpreting and its impact on deaf parties' rights in legal disputes. It also assesses the application of the 2013 Constitution and other laws in courtrooms, the relationship between language and the legal system in Deaf communities, and the linguistic techniques used in deaf communication. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of open court sessions. The study revealed a shortage of proficient Zimbabwean Sign language interpreters in Zimbabwean courts, leading to communication challenges during trials and misconceptions about the government's commitment to protecting deaf people's language rights. The researchers suggest that the Zimbabwean government and other stakeholders should establish a pool of interpreters and allocate funds for training for proficient Zimbabwean Sign language court interpreters.
Copyright (c) 2025 JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
A book review of the work, metaphor: A practical introduction
This work is a review of the book, Metaphor: A Practical Introduction.
Examining the complications encountered by Grade 10-11 Oshikwanyama teachers and learners in conducting research projects (Paper 4) within the revised NSSCO Curriculum
This study critically examines the complexities encountered by Grade 10–11 Oshikwanyama teachers and learners in executing research projects (Paper 4) within the NSSCO Revised Curriculum. The impetus for this research stems from the continuous decline in learner performance in Paper 4, despite curriculum enhancements introduced five years ago. Employing robust constructivist and ethnographic research frameworks, this study investigates the multifaceted challenges faced by teachers and learners. A qualitative research methodology was adopted, with purposive sampling selecting participants actively involved in Oshikwanyama research in 2024. Data were meticulously gathered through semi-structured interviews and comprehensive document analysis. Content analysis was utilised to distil and interpret the data, identifying prominent themes and patterns. The findings elucidate several critical issues. Teachers grapple with inadequate training in research methodologies, insufficient parental involvement, and logistical constraints. Learners confront challenges such as limited access to reliable cultural information, prohibitive transportation costs, and a lack of intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, the abstract nature of research concepts and inadequate resources significantly impede the research process. To address these robust challenges, the study recommends strategic interventions, including enhanced awareness programs for parents, targeted professional development workshops for teachers, and practical support such as funding for research-related expenses. Additionally, it advocates for a re-evaluation of the Paper 4 component to boost engagement and mitigate academic dishonesty. By addressing these challenges, the study aims to inform educational stakeholders and develop strategies to improve the pedagogy and practice of Oshikwanyama research. This, in turn, will contribute to enhanced educational outcomes and support the preservation and archiving of Oshikwanyama culture, aligning with the aspirations of Vision 2030.
Visual culture of foreign languages: What to do with cultural stereotypes?
Although previous studies have shown that learners’ visual representations of a culture and its community can affect performance and motivation in the language acquisition process, there are no studies to date on how students engage and interpret the visuals of foreign cultures. Understanding students’ visual representations of foreign cultures will inform educators about their teaching strategies and classroom practices when conveying the visual cultural content of the foreign language to students. This should also help students to understand their sometimes overly stereotypical representations of foreign culture and to view learning the cultural content of the foreign language as a useful and realistic intercultural experience. This study explores students’ visual representations of foreign cultures. The study was conducted at the University of Namibia in 2022, and the study population was divided into three groups of participants: 21 beginner-level students learning one of the following foreign languages offered in the Department of Humanities and Arts (Chinese, French, Spanish and Portuguese), 24 Visual Arts students enrolled in Visual Culture course but not registered in foreign languages and four foreign languages lecturers from the Department of Humanities and Arts. A quantitative method was used with language students and lecturers through the distribution of online questionnaires. Visual students were requested to produce an artistic work on any medium representing a foreign culture they are not familiar with. Students’ view of the visual culture of foreign languages, both foreign language learners and non-learners, generally stereotyped the foreign culture and underestimated its diversity. From the lecturers’ perspectives, the results showed that all of them include visual cultural material in their teaching, but half of them have really reflected on the cultural content of their teaching resource nor are they well aware of the critical cultural competencies of their students.
Copyright (c) 2024 JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Expounding the Nama - Herero genocide of 1904-1908: A cognitive metaphor approach
This study examined four Namibian Nama-Herero literary texts about the genocide in Namibia through the application of the cognitive stylistics theory as a framework for analysis. These are, namely, Lauri Kubuitsile’s The Scattering (2016), Jaspar D. Utley’s Lie of the Land (2017), Rukee Tjingaete’s The Weeping Graves of our Ancestors (2017) and Zirk van den Berg’s Parts Unknown (2018). The four novels were chosen because they present the Nama-Herero genocide, which took place from 1904-1908, where over 65,000 Ovaherero and 10,000 Nama people died in what is known as the first genocide of the twentieth century. The study promotes new discourses on cognitive stylistics studies of Namibian literary works. The study is significant to researchers and readers as it is a useful reference tool for students, politicians and researchers conducting studies in the field of cognitive stylistics. Cognitive linguistics argues that a particular situation in a literary text can be interpreted in different ways. Observations from nuanced readings of the texts indicated that themes in the selected texts largely centre on the natives’ experiences of the genocide during this period of colonial occupation and encounter. This was achieved through the examination of literary creativity through the use of cognitive metaphor, genocidal trauma, and mental and physical oppression. It was concluded that reading, analysing and schematising genocidal fictional works can reflect a negative past for current world citizens to understand and adopt ways that can be used to prevent genocide.
Omayityo nomunyolelo gwokatungithi ‘Bantu’ mOshiwambo
Abstract This paper examines the meanings of the morpheme ‘Bantu’ and the reasons why authors write it differently in the Oshiwambo language. The paper further analyses the morphological and phonological changes that occur during borrowing the morpheme ‘Bantu’, investigates noun classes in which it is found, as well as its orthography in the Oshiwambo language. The study adopts the Natural Generative Phonology (NGP) theory, as proposed by Hooper (1976), along with Word Formation theory and the Use Theory of Meaning (UTM), as its theoretical framework. This study adopted a qualitative approach, and data were collected through documented texts, text analysis, daily texts and utterances. After the analysis and interpretation of data, it has become evident that the morpheme ‘Bantu’ is a polysemic word in the Oshiwambo language. Data reveals that the author’s level of education, knowledge of other languages, geographical location, meaning and the noun class in which the author allocates the morpheme ‘Bantu’ are the reasons authors write it differently in Oshiwambo. The finding reveals that the morpheme ‘Bantu’ undergoes various morphological and phonological changes such as prefixation, nasalisation, free variation and modern trend to be integrated into the Oshiwambo speech system. Furthermore, it has been found that the orthography of the morpheme ‘Bantu’ in the Oshiwambo language is: Mbantu, Mbanhu, Banhu, Bantu, Aambantu, Ovambanhu, Aambanhu/Aabanhu, Aabantu, or Ovabantu, and Oshimbantu, Oshimbanhu, Otshimbanhu, Otshibanhu, or Oshibantu. These words are in Oshiwambo noun class 1.a., 2 and 7 respectively (cf. Oshiwambo 18 noun classes). Teachers, lecturers, learners, students, authors, journalists, and lexicographers could utilise knowledge acquired through this study. Engongo Ombapila ndjika oya lalakanene okwiilonga omayityo gokatungithi ‘Bantu’ nokukonakona omatompelo kutya omolwashike aanyoli haye ka nyola sha yooloka mElaka lyOshiwambo. Ombapila oya sinasina wo omalunduluko gopamofolohi nopafonolohi ngoka ga holoka mokuhehela okatungithi ‘Bantu’ mElaka lyOshiwambo, oya konakona wo oongundutyadhina dhOshiwambo moka taka adhika nomunyolelo gwako gwomondjila mElaka mOshiwambo. Oshinyolwakonakono oshi iwega kOmadhiladhiloyukitho gOpafonolohi yElaka ngoka ga andjaganekwa nokuyambulwa po kuHooper (1976), Omadhiladhiloyukitho gEndulukopo lyIitya nosho wo Omadhiladhiloyukitho gEyityo lyOshitya mokundjandjukununa uuyelele. Oshinyolwa shika osha longitha omukalo gwomadhiladhilo gomuule nuuyelele owa gongelwa okupitila mokulesha iinyolwa ya nyanyangidhwa, okusinasina iinyolwa, omishangwa dhakehe esiku nosho wo omatumbulo ga popiwa. Konima yokusinasina nokundjandjukununa uuyelele wa gongelwa, osha kolekwa kutya okatungithi ‘Bantu’ oshipolisemitya mOshiwambo.Uuyelele otawu ulike kutya okatunguthi ‘Bantu’ ohaka pangwa sha yooloka pamofolohi nopafonolohi ngaashi momukalo: gwokunkotseka ko oshitetekeli, gwokukwamayupaleka, gwokupingenapo okanyolo/uunyolo nokanyolo/nuunyolo uukwawo nogwopashinanena okutambiwa ko momutumbulilo gwOshiwambo. Kakele kaashono, okwa monika wo kutya omunyolelo gwokatungithi ‘Bantu’ mOshiwambo ogwo: Mbantu, Mbanhu, Banhu, Bantu, Aambantu, Ovambanhu, Aambanhu, Aabanhu, Aabantu, nenge Ovabantu, nosho wo Oshimbantu, Oshimbanhu, Otshimbanhu, Otshibanhu, nenge Oshibantu. Iitya mbyoka otayi adhika mongundutyadhina 1.a., 2, nosho wo 7 yOshiwambo (cf. [mekwatathano] noongundutyadhina 18 dhOshiwambo). Aalongisikola, aalongiputudhilolongo, aanasikola, aalongwaputudhilolongo, aanyoli, aatolinkundana naanyolimambwiitya otaya vulu okulongitha uunongo wa gongelwa okupitila moshinyolwakonakono shika. Hugunina, oshinyolwasinasino shika otashi thaneke kutya oompata dha li pokati komulongi gwOshindonga nomulongi gwoshilongwa shOmayilongo gOnkalathano osho dha yi pehulilo.
Lexical loss and replacement in Kinga are among the impacts of lexical change in language. Language contact acts as a main mediator in linguistic change. In this case, the recipient language may be affected in language systems, especially lexical loss and replacement, leading to lexical change. Kinga has been in contact with Swahili and other nearby languages for a long time. Some of the Kinga words have been lost permanently, and others have been replaced. This paper traces the way Kinga is losing some of its lexical items while others are being replaced by items from different languages, mainly from Swahili. The data analysis processes are based on a qualitative approach. This study is guided by the Cultural Transmission Theory developed by Kenny Smith in 2003. The findings of this paper reveal that Kinga has experienced lexical change because it incorporates words from other nearby languages into its lexicon. Kiswahili seems to have many words in Kinga. The study also postulates that there are changes experienced in phonology, syntax, morphology, and semantics in Kinga. Generally, the results of this paper show that many Swahili words have penetrated into Kinga in the contact situation, whereby some of Kinga’s lexical items have been lost while others have been replaced. Language and culture are two things that are intertwined. Elders have to use the language according to their linguistic backgrounds, whereas the new generation learns it as it is used in the natural context. This situation makes the vitality of Kinga as one of the Ethnic Community Languages in Tanzania.
Contribution of indigenous econaming practices in ecosystems conservation: A case of Ekegusii language
This paper aims to explore the role African indigenous languages play in the global campaign against environmental damage. The objective is to examine how linguistic practices impact ecosystems. Econames among the Abagusii community played a key role in preventing ecological destruction. Indigenous linguistic systems were treasured and promoted a variety of plants and animals by naming newborns after them. In this way, the ecosystem earned a special place and was consequently held in high regard. The study compares the meanings and representations associated with the Econaming systems in Ekegusii naming system. Data for this study was drawn from documented Ekegusii econames related to the environment, supplemented by the researcher’s native intuition. The data collection methods included document analysis of existing Ekegusii lexicons, semi-structured interviews with native speakers, and observations of linguistic practices in community settings. The researcher also used his native intuition to collect data. Econames of plant and animal species relating to the environment were inferred for purposes of analysis. This study is based on Evaluation Theory by Stibbe. The indigenous Ekegusii names were correlated with the associated ecosystems among Ekegusii native speakers. Eco-critical analysis of the names under investigation involved semantic and pragmatic analysis of each name collected as well as analysis and discussion of the semantic association of individual names to the related ecosystem. The results showed that the meanings embedded in the Ekegusii econaming system reflect a strategic approach to environmental stewardship, highlighting indigenous practices that could be valuable for sustainable environmental preservation. The data collected showed that indigenous econaming practices are significant and can play a huge role in ecological preservation among rural communities. Consequently, the study recommends that the government and other critical environmental policymakers should focus more on Econaming practices in order to recognise the role played by indigenous communities in environmental conservation
Morpho-syntactic Analysis of Sex-related Euphemisms and the Stretch of Dysphemism in Swahili
This paper analysed the morpho-syntax of sex-related euphemisms and their role in stretching dysphemism in Swahili. Euphemism formation mechanisms are reliant upon societal cultural values, which are not universal. Data were collected in Morogoro through observations, interviews, and Informal Focus Group Discussions (IFGDs). Findings indicate that the morpho-syntax of the noun and verb determines the formation of sex-related euphemisms and the extent of dysphemism. In terms of noun morphosyntax, sex-related euphemisms do not belong to the same class as taboos, amounting to 14 for male and 12 for female sexual body parts. Additionally, the class 9 agreement property -i is intentionally used to form sex-related euphemisms, which can create humour but also stretch dysphemism when uttered unintentionally. Regarding the morphosyntax of verbs, 40.9% of those tested signify sex-related euphemisms in Swahili, depending on speakers' morpho-syntactic manipulations. In conclusion, ignorance of Swahili morpho-syntactic structures may contribute significantly to sex-related dysphemism. Therefore, this paper recommends further study into how Swahili learners' morpho-syntactic structures may lead to sex-related dysphemism.
A morphosyntactic and semantic description of augment in Kipangwa
his paper describes the morphosyntactic and semantic meaning of augments in Kipangwa (G64), the pre-prefix that precedes the noun. The main objective was to describe the morphosyntactic and semantic properties of the augment in the Kipangwa. The study was conducted in Ludewa District of Njombe Region in Tanzania. With regard to the research approach, the study employed a qualitative approach. The data for this study were collected through the text collection method. Using this method, the researchers collected sentences with NPs from 18 informants and three storybooks in Kipangwa. These informants were sampled through snowball sampling, while the storybooks in Kipangwa were purposefully sampled. The study reveals that there are augments in Kipangwa, specifically in vowel forms. It also exposes that syntactic and semantic factors mainly trigger the occurrence of augments in Kipangwa nouns. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the specificity and topicality of the noun can influence the function of the augment in Kipangwa. Finally, the study recommends further research into other aspects of augments in Kipangwa.
An investigation into the phonemic status of vowel length and tone in Khoekhoegowab
Previous studies have suggested that Khoekhoegowab, which represents the Damara, Nama and Haiǁom dialects in Namibia, has phonemic long and short vowel phonemes. The purpose of this paper thus is to closely examine the phonemic status of the vowels to establish whether or not Khoekhoegowab does have long and short vowel phonemes. The paper's premise is the phonetic perception in the production of vowels. Lengthening occurs when a vowel is realised in a continuous manner without the possibility of syllabifying it. The paper followed a mixed research design where data was drawn from a few available sources such as Haacke and Eiseb (2002) and Khoekhoegowab Orthography (2003). This was complemented by data from a few key informants who are mother-tongue speakers of Khoekhoegowab. With the aid of PRAAT software, the study argues that rather than length, tone is the phonemic feature in Khoekhoegowab; it distinguishes meaning in different Khoekhoegowab words. Over the years, because the high and low tones interfered with how speakers perceive the sounds, vowel length has not been sufficiently scrutinised.
Copyright (c) 2023 JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
The emergence of metonymic expressions in Dholuo is a linguistic phenomenon experienced in native-speaking regions overtly and subtly. In their day-to-day conversations, interlocutors make use of metonymy for various linguistic goals. Even so, metonymic expressions have not been given adequate attention by analysts in applied linguistics. This paper examines the nature of Dholuo metonymy, by analysing metonymic patterns based on the ‘how’ question as the guiding principle. The paper focuses on the South Nyanza dialect of Dholuo, because it is considered the standard variety among other dialects. The paper is anchored on the Causal Theory of Reference advanced by Kripke (1980), to investigate how inanimate metonyms are used as reference points for inanimate objects. Data for this study comprised actual metonymies collected using focus group discussions and interviews. The data was collected in Homa Bay County where the researchers reached out to farmers, traders, sportsmen/women, musicians, and travellers. Data was analysed using critical discourse analytical procedures where Fairclough’s (2003) description, explanation and interpretation approach was adopted. The findings revealed that Dholuo metonymy is referential, experiential, humorous and rhetorical in nature. That means the speaker manifests an independent intention to refer to a given object regardless of the particular interpretation of the expressions used; the metonymic concepts are grounded in people’s experience and language; the speaker expresses a certain attitude towards the referent in a humorous way; the speaker uses its figurative force to flower the language. The findings of this paper would be a source of reference to scholars in linguistics and an addition to existing knowledge on metonymy, applied linguistics and African language studies.
DISCURSIVE STRATEGIES OF MANIPULATION IN THE LATE PRESIDENT MAGUFULI’S CAMPAIGN INAUGURAL SPEECH OF THE 2020 TANZANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
This paper explores the use of language as a tool of manipulation in election campaigns in Tanzania by analysing a speech delivered by late President Magufuli during his second-term campaign for the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (here forth CCM). The study employed Critical discourse analysis (hereafter CDA) as a framework of analysis, specifically Fairclough’s (1989, 2013) three dimensions model for analysing text and talks. The study explores rhetoric as a pivotal element in analysing how language constructs social reality and influences power dynamics. Within CDA, rhetoric plays a crucial role in understanding how language is employed to manipulate minds, construct and shape social realities, and challenge or uphold power relations. In this context, rhetoric serves to inform, persuade, and motivate audiences through various linguistic and communicative means. The findings of the study reveal that the language used in the speech was aimed at manipulating the minds of the voters through various strategies such as appealing to audiences’ religious beliefs, attributing government achievements to the collective efforts of the people, and using personal pronouns ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ to create a sense of unity. The study also reveals that the speech employed repetition to emphasize the success of the government, and presupposition to negatively portray the opposition contenders while using statistics to positively represent himself and his party before voters. The study concludes that politicians often use language as a powerful tool to manipulate the audience to achieve personal agendas.
Namibia in its thirties: Reviewing the choice of English as sole official language
Namibia is a linguistically diverse country that attained independence in 1990. One of the most significant policy decisions at the time was to remove Afrikaans as one of the official languages, recognising English only, a monolingual official language policy that ignored the multilingual realities of the new country. The document justifying this decision was written a decade earlier and prepared by the United Nations Institute for Namibia based on eight criteria. In this paper, we critically review these criteria: unity, acceptability, familiarity, feasibility, science and technology, pan-Africanism, wider communication, and United Nations. We argue that the choice of these criteria, and the “value” attributed to European languages, compared with that of Namibian languages, were biased in a way to support the monolingual English policy. We conclude with an invitation to Namibian officials at all levels of government and local community organisations to engage in conversations to promote multilingualism more formally.
Negotiating language barriers in communication: The case of Tanzanian inmates in Ghana
This study investigates communication barriers faced by Tanzanian immigrants serving prison terms in Ghana for various offences. Given the role of communication in inmates' daily lives, including various processes and procedures within the prison yards, the study seeks to examine strategies employed by such inmates to meet their social/communicative needs within the prison environs. The study is carried out against the backdrop of some East African migrants encountering communication barriers in Ghana. The main objective is to investigate the effect of communication barriers on Tanzanian inmates at Nsawam Prisons and the linguistic support system in place within the prison yards for such inmates. The study also looks at the coping strategies to overcome such communicative barriers and the long-term negative and positive effects of the language barrier on their linguistic abilities. Data were collected by two research assistants with funding support from the Andrew Mellon Foundation through the administration of questionnaires and interview sessions with five Tanzanian inmates. The findings of the study indicate that in addition to the use of similar coping strategies that are used by other East African migrants, resident in Ghana, such as gestures and the seeking of assistance for interpretation, Tanzanian inmates in Nsawam Prisons ultimately learn a Ghanaian language because they see the acquisition of a Ghanaian language as an effective solution to the challenges of language barriers at the Nsawam Prisons. It was also noted that although gender differences played a role in the linguistic choices of these inmates, individual preferences for negotiating linguistic barriers were paramount.
Presidential Rhetoric Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: The Unpacking of Namibia 2021 State of the Nation Address (SONA) Speech
One of the significant speeches the Namibian presidency delivers is the State of the Nation Address (SONA). It is a constitutional obligation for the President to address the nation during the consideration of the national budget to review past policies and programmes and articulate the government’s priorities for the next financial year. Speechmaking is one of the essential roles of presidents in announcing their policies and persuading the nation. This article is a textual analysis of the 2021 SONA speech delivered by President Hage Geingob during the crisis time of COVID-19. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyses the most common rhetorical devices that Geingob used to achieve social change during this crisis. The analysis grounds on charismatic leadership theory, by focusing on three structural components, namely leader, followers, and context, as influenced by the three Aristotelian rhetorical appeals of pathos, ethos, and logos. The speech demonstrates Geingob’s presidency's ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis. The president advanced the values of democracy, united the Namibian people, and used valence rhetoric that offers the nation a sense of security and stability as they face the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transitivity in social work reports: A case of destitution reports written by professional social workers in Botswana
Social work in Botswana is a rapidly developing profession. In the last fifty or so years, the role of the social worker has changed, from distributing practical help to taking on roles that were previously filled via age- and status-based social structures. A lot of research has been done on business communication in different workplaces. However, there is not much done on Social work professional communication in Botswana. This study, which is part of a longer study, analysed the types of texts produced by social workers in their professional settings. The research method for this study combines two major research tools in the qualitative inquiry, which are text analysis and interviews. Sixty-four (64) destitution reports were collected and analysed. Six (6) professional social workers were also interviewed to share their experiences in writing the reports. The findings show the powers that the social workers have over their clients.
Legitimization Discourse to Covid-19 Vaccination in Tanzania: A Discursive Analysis of Public Speech and Comments on social media
The year 2019 Tanzania experienced the eruption of COVID-19 pandemic disease from which different health measures were needed against the pandemic. However, Tanzania had a divided ideological positioning regarding the legitimization of COVID-19 vaccination. This is because the 5th phase government regime did not favour the legitimization of COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the next 6th government regime. This divided ideology has brought dividing tensions among the public leading to different public reactions to the legitimization processes of COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. Therefore, the study aimed at assessing the legitimization discourse of COVID-19 vaccination in Tanzania and different reactions from YouTube online users upon its legitimization. The transcribed data were collected using a documentary review. The units of analysis were the current head of the state and YouTube online followers. Purposive sampling was used to select the head of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination speech. Systematic sampling was used to select 160 YouTube online followers. Descriptive and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was used to guide the analysis and discussions of the findings. The findings showed that the head of the state has used a range of legitimization processes relating to positive self-presentations to win the public a positive face. They include linguistic strategies like emotion, the voice of expertise, rationality, hypothetical features and altruism. YouTube online followers had found to use exclusive linguistic strategies linked to negative self-presentations for de-legitimization purposes. They include nominations, predictions and rationality. It was recommended that legitimization discourse be characterized by using inclusive linguistic strategies that employ positive emotional, hypothetical features, rationality, the voice of expertise and altruism linguistic strategies to win the public a positive face.
Copyright (c) 2022 JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
#Blessed: An analysis of writing-back-to-self on the emerging issues of transactional sex relationships in The Blessed Girl (2018), Bare: #The Blesser Game (2017), Sweet Medicine (2016) and The Y in yOUR Man is Silent: Book 1(2019)
Methodology The content analysis of four contemporary African literature texts in English was the focus of this qualitative desktop position paper. Qualitative literary research was suited for this position paper since it gives textual descriptions and non-numerical data about transactional sex relationships categorized as blessers, blessees, sugar daddies, sugar babies, and side-chicks in the selected novels. The textual descriptions of transactional sex relationships in the selected novels have enabled the researcher to conduct an analytical reading and interrogation of the issues presented in the texts and to categorize them as emerging issues in African society using Mwangi’s (2009) postcolonial paradigm of writing-back-to-self. The purposive sampling technique was used to select and analyse the four novels by southern African writers based on their representation of transactional sex relationships. The selected novels were The Blessed Girl by Angela Makholwa (2018), Bare: #The Blesser Game by Jackie Phamotse (2017) and The y in yOUR Man is Silent: Book 1 by Yvonne Maphosa (2019).
This is a short story about two friends who almost lost their friendship because one of them followed a different lifestyle that later brought unfavourable results. It teaches about the importance of true friendship and the importance of living a responsible lifestyle.
Etalululo lyembo “Omapuko gi igalala mokupopya, mokulesha nomokunyola melaka lyOshindonga” (ISBN: 978-99945-54-29-4)
A REVIEW OF THE BOOK “COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING IN OSHINDONGA LANGUAGE” Johannes Shifela Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture This paper reviews Oshindonga grammar book titled "Omapuko gi igalala mokupopya, mokulesha nokunyola mElaka lyOshindonga" (translated as "Common mistakes in speaking, reading and writing in Oshindonga language"). As the title says, the book is on Oshindonga language rules. This paper reveals that Oshindonga phonology and morphology are well presented in the present book. In addition, it discloses that the structure of a verb and the subject marker of Oshindonga are narrated effectively in this book. The paper further argues that the present book has a number of shortcomings, namely nontreatment of loanwords, uses of diphthongs that don’t exist in Oshindonga orthography, uses of a hyphen in complex words, uses of the disjunctive writing system in writing Oshindonga verbs and possessive nouns, uses of twelve noun classes in Oshindonga, as well as a number of few grammatical errors. Furthermore, it posits that Oshindonga orthography is unfit, hence there are mismatches between its sound system and its alphabetical representation. Finnegan (2011) as cited in Dube (2021, p.42) supports the finding above that orthography is a writing system that aims to match an alphabet’s representation of a language’s sound system. Therefore, orthographies that do present a difference between spoken and written language are deemed inappropriate. Moving forward, this paper identifies teachers, and lectures as some of the potential benefits as it could serve as guide to them in teaching Oshindonga according to Bantu languages word structure. Moreover, it is useful to learners, students, editors, authors and foreigners who are interested in learning Oshindonga language grammar rules. Lastly, this paper recommends Oshindonga orthography to be reviewed, because this book is based on the present Oshindonga orthography 3. The review of Oshindonga orthography 3 will permit the gap between its spoken language and its alphabetical representation to be filled.
Analysis of Morphological Reduplication in Luganda Lexical Categories
Reduplication is a morphological process in which the root/stem of a word or part of it is repeated. Reduplication is divided into different types such as full, partial, rhyming, ablaut, reduplication in baby talk and reduplication in onomatopoeia. This study deals only with full reduplication in Luganda lexical categories. The main objective of the study is to analyse the morphological reduplication in Luganda lexical categories. Specifically, the study identifies Luganda lexical categories that undergo reduplication, analyses reduplicated patterns using Morphological Doubling Theory (MDT), and explains the semantic functions of reduplication in Luganda lexical categories. Data collection included both primary and secondary data, where primary data included interviews where three pure native speakers and four teachers who teach Luganda in Rakai district were involved. Some words used in this study collected from different documents and sources include the Luganda-English dictionary, the Holy Bible (Old and New Testament) and Luganda proverbs and songs. Lexical questionnaires developed by the researcher were used. The analyses show that Luganda lexical categories undergo full reduplication in the morphological process. The recommendation and suggestions of this study are that similar studies of full reduplication in other Bantu languages should be conducted to give an overall description pertaining to this phenomenon.
Citations of first year students at the University of Botswana
Academic disciplines are often called discourse communities in research into academic discourse. Citing and referring to other authors in writing shows respect to the intellect of individuals. Students need to cite sources properly in order to be members of the Academic discourse community. This study explored in-text citations in research projects written by first-year students in the Faculty of Education at the University of Botswana. Using Swales’ notion of a discourse community, text analysis and qualitative content analysis, twenty research projects were analysed and three students and two lecturers were interviewed. The findings suggest that students need to be taught the importance of in-text citations and also be assisted to be members of the academic discourse community. There is a need for clear guidelines on citations and regulations for in-text citations and plagiarism for students as soon as they are admitted into their first academic year.
The proximate demonstrative pronoun in Ndebele
The studies on proximate demonstrative pronouns in Ndebele solely focus on the morphophonology of proximate demonstrative pronouns. As a result, the morphosyntax of proximate demonstrative pronouns is not explored. The paper examines the morphology and syntax of first position demonstrative pronouns in Ndebele. Most of the data used in this study is generated by the researcher and a handful of examples are drawn from written sources. The data is analysed within the parameters of the grammaticalisation theory. The paper proposes a typology that categorises demonstrative pronouns in Ndebele based on their morpho-syntax. There are three types of proximate demonstrative pronouns in Ndebele: the autonomous demonstrative pronoun, the proclitic demonstrative pronoun and the enclitic demonstrative pronoun. Each type has an eccentric structure: Type 1 usually has a complete demonstrative pronoun consisting of the demonstrative marker and the class agreement marker except in nasal classes where at times the class agreement marker is covert, Type 2 has the commencing consonant of the marker only in nasal classes while in non-nasal we have a full form, Type 3 appears without a commencing consonant. The study concludes that the internal structure of proximate demonstrative pronouns in is determined by the typology and the syntax of given proximate pronouns. The study recommends that the teaching and the study of the internal structure of Ndebele proximate demonstrative pronouns be done in the context of proposed typologies and the syntactic distribution of proximate demonstrative pronouns.
Copyright (c) 2021 JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
A critical examination of the Namibian children of the liberation struggle as presented in The Price of Freedom and Walking the Boeing 707
Abstract The paper offers a critique of the traumatic experience of the Namibian children during the liberation struggle as presented in “The Price of freedom” and “Walking the Boeing 707”. When Namibia gained independence in 1990, many Namibians came back home from exile and amongst them were children. The paper found that the memoirs, “The Price freedom” and “Walking the Boeing 707”, capture the traumatic experiences faced by the Namibian children while in exile and even upon returning home. The children of the liberation struggle grew up in children’s homes away from their biological parents. This rendered the Namibian children of the liberation struggle vulnerable as they were confronted with various problems such as dropping out of school, death, and grief with no psychosocial assistance. Moreover, the study adopted a qualitative literary research approach that examined the lives experience and traumatic events. The findings suggest that there is compelling evidence that many Namibian exiled children deserve to be recognized as heroes and heroines as they also contributed to the independence of Namibia. Children of the liberation struggle literally and figuratively placed their life and limb in harm's way to liberate the country.
Using the sound reading system to teach English spelling: A case study
Namibia is a country where English is mostly acquired as a taught subject and Grade 4 is a transitional year where the medium of instruction changes from the mother tongue or predominant local language to English. The National Curriculum specifies that it is crucial for learners to acquire English literacy skills in Grades 1, 2 and 3 to ensure a smooth transitioning to Gr.4. However, data revealed that when Namibian learners enter the Senior Primary phase (Grade 4-7), their shaky foundation leaves them at a disadvantage which hinders optimal academic progress. Spelling is essential for reading comprehension therefore it is crucial for literacy development and needs to be taught explicitly in the Junior Primary phase. The case study presented in this paper is part of a broader qualitative M.Ed. study which explored the teaching of English spelling by using the Sound Reading System (SRS) in spelling instruction from Grade 1 to Grade 3 at a school in the Erongo region of Namibia. The findings revealed that teachers felt their own alphabetic knowledge was strengthened and their approach to teaching spelling had evolved. The use of SRS provided a systematic approach to their teaching. The teachers believed that there is a definite link between spelling and reading and that this strategy has provided an opportunity to teach these skills simultaneously and in an integrated manner. The paper discloses that for spelling instruction to be effective, teachers should be equipped with thorough alphabetic knowledge as well as pedagogic content knowledge.
Are Namibian women being decolonised? Causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as presented in !Khaxas’ anthology, We Must Choose Life (2008)
The paper examines the causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Namibia as presented by Namibian women writers in the anthology ‘We Must Choose Life’ (2008). Gender-based violence against women is a worldwide problem and a global concern. Many women globally, Namibian women included, have remained in abusive relationships because of their dependence on the perpetrators of violence for socio-economic support. As explicated by the poems, some Namibian men treat women as the offenders, and the treatment of women at the hands of the men is compared to Apartheid, slavery, and colonialism. It is safe to say that Namibian women are viewed through the lens of the "aristocratic mind," where they are viewed as weak, oppressed and marginalised in their respective societies. The anthology, ‘We Must Choose Life’ (2008), compiled by a Namibian feminist, Elisabeth !Khaxas, breaks the silence of Namibian women and evinces their desire to work towards equality and civilised societies. The paper employs a content analysis approach to analyse the projections of GBV in selected poems and short stories from the anthology. A textual analysis of the creative texts is also undertaken, couched within the theoretical framework of Ecofeminism, which examines the suffering of women from the dominant influence of a male-oriented society. In this respect, specific forms of the abuse of women have been identified as gender-based violence with a level of acceptability. The paper establishes the proliferation in Namibia, of trends in which, some women have endured long-standing abusive relationships because of an over-dependence on the male perpetrators of violence for socio-economic support, fear of the perpetrators’ reprisals, as well as conformity to cultural and religious practices. These narratives bear witness to the bravery of Namibian women to express their anguish and suffering through their own words.
An analysis of rhetoric of identification and consubstantiality in President Hage Geingob’s 30th independence day anniversary and inaugural speech
The main aim of this paper is to analyze rhetorical identification strategies in President Hage Geingob’s 30th Independence Day Anniversary and Inaugural Speech. Rhetoric has been flourishing in some countries with new methodologies and ideas. Yet, rhetorical analysis in speeches remains in its infancy stage especially in Namibia to be specific. The study is qualitative in nature and the speech is purposely selected because it emanates from the competitive 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections that were never experienced in Namibian electoral history. Kenneth Burke’s theory of identification and consubstantiality is used as the basis of the analysis of this paper. The study reveals that President Geingob identified with his audiences by means of inclusive language, hierarchy, religion, common challenges, emotional appeal, past challenges and accomplishments. The study concludes that President Geingob employed identification strategies that can enable him to unite his audiences and encourage them to work together and achieve a common goal.
Metaphor in newspaper communication on cancer in southern Africa: The case of Lesotho press
This paper examines military metaphors used in cancer illness discourse in Lesotho. The paper focuses on metaphors used in Sesotho newspapers’ communication and the ideologies encoded by the identified metaphors. Through a qualitative content analysis approach, analysis of the data reveals that the role of military metaphors employed by the Sesotho press in cancer communication is to highlight the government’s and institutions’ commitment to spearheading massive mobilisation of efforts towards addressing this social ill. However, this paper argues that cancer discourse in the Sesotho press should not be dominated by military metaphors. This is based on a view that militarised language promotes a dichotomous world view where there are winners and losers, and this may promote dichotomous thinking where cancer is presented as a contest of either winning or losing. This paper maintains that this framing is problematic because, as it has been observed, cancer is a deadly disease, and therefore must be treated with caution including the use of language that is devoid of stigmatisation.
A model for language of science interpretation: Rhetorical understanding of climate change scientific discourse
The study explored the dynamics of the rhetoric of the models on climate change publications. The model for the language of science interpretation presented in this research paper was developed from the analysis of climate change publications. Additionally, the arguments presented in this study were drawn from a theoretical framework that saw rhetorical argument and discourse as a significant feature of science publications. The language filter model of science interpretation presented was intended to demystify the language of science. It clearly shows how knowledge as perceived by scientists goes through different stages before it reaches the consumers of that knowledge. Afterwards, the perceived knowledge goes through language interpretation and language is arguably affected by time. Regardless of how careful scientists can be in describing the observable elements of phenomena, cultural meanings and cultural bias are likely to subvert the aim of objectivity. The study adopted a qualitative approach. By employing a qualitative approach, the emphasis was to discover and understand the epistemological dynamics of the rhetoric of science interpretations. Rhetorical interpretations of science publications seem to be multifaceted, thus, requiring a research design that enabled such complexity to be analysed and explored. The study concluded that models seemed to be effective in dealing with large information; they, however, lack the epistemological and ontological interconnections between science and public interest.