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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • PublicationJournal Article
    2025
     | Elite Scientific Pub...
    A persistent semantic homonym issue exists between the isiXhosa and isiZulu languages within South African educational settings, resulting in ambiguity for numerous phrases. The restricted nature of interaction concerning homonyms, along with the polysemy of the chosen words that share spelling yet have distinct contextual meanings, is particularly noteworthy. The vocabulary in isiXhosa and isiZulu has a significant impact on linguistic interpretation and analysis. The origin of language can be traced back to its connection with the same linguistic cluster as the indigenous South African Indigenous Languages (SAIL), which are generally classified based on their etymological roots. Employing a PRISMA literature narrative method approach enhancement to the comprehension of the homonymy comparison between isiXhosa and isiZulu. The results and conclusions indicate that isiZulu and isiXhosa share a common linguistic and morphological framework, yet they differ significantly in semantic interpretation. Providing additional support to shape and reinforce the sociolinguistic theory of the article proved advantageous. The dilemma and the ongoing polysemy have been suggested to aid in closely examining and elucidating the linguistic morphemes of these two African languages
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  • PublicationJournal Article
    Recent developments in isiZulu poetry have been marked by an emergence of performance poets whose poems have gained popularity with younger audiences. A constant feature in contemporary isiZulu poetry is a conscious deviation from adherence to rigid structural and formal linguistic requirements. Contemporary isiZulu poetry is also characterised by a shift from textual to performance-specific conventions that cater for radio, theatre, social-media platforms and so forth, and is more accommodative of linguistic dynamics that shape the current generation of artists and audiences. While contemporary isiZulu performance is a rather more recent innovation, it still owes its roots to oral poetry traditions and has evolved from literary art forms that were committed to memory and performed during family gatherings and communal events. This article explores code switching in contemporary isiZulu performance poetry and argues for appreciation of this phenomenon for its aesthetic appeal rather than as infringement on long-held attitudes about purity of artistic linguistic expressions. Hyme's Ethno-poetic Theory will inform analysis of selected poems in this article. Ethno-poetic Theory focuses, amongst others, on how a performance displays literary qualities.
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  • PublicationJournal Article
    2025
     | Elite Scientific Pub...
    A persistent semantic homonym issue exists between the isiXhosa and isiZulu languages within South African educational settings, resulting in ambiguity for numerous phrases. The restricted nature of interaction concerning homonyms, along with the polysemy of the chosen words that share spelling yet have distinct contextual meanings, is particularly noteworthy. The vocabulary in isiXhosa and isiZulu has a significant impact on linguistic interpretation and analysis. The origin of language can be traced back to its connection with the same linguistic cluster as the indigenous South African Indigenous Languages (SAIL), which are generally classified based on their etymological roots. Employing a PRISMA literature narrative method approach enhancement to the comprehension of the homonymy comparison between isiXhosa and isiZulu. The results and conclusions indicate that isiZulu and isiXhosa share a common linguistic and morphological framework, yet they differ significantly in semantic interpretation. Providing additional support to shape and reinforce the sociolinguistic theory of the article proved advantageous. The dilemma and the ongoing polysemy have been suggested to aid in closely examining and elucidating the linguistic morphemes of these two African languages.
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  • PublicationJournal Article
    Globally, languages fulfil various functions in different contexts such as business, education, law, and communication among others. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to the lack of motivation and limited opportunities for advancements of the multilingualism programme implemented at the University of Zululand, specifically focusing on the Dlangezwa campus. The data was gathered through active listening to the statements made by University of Zululand staff that participated in a forum held on 17 July 2023, when the SADiLaR organization conducted a visit to the university of Zululand to evaluate the implementation of the language policy and assess available resources. Thereafter in-depth interviews were from different departments to investigate challenges in promoting multilingualism in the university of Zululand. A qualitative approach was adopted in conducting the current study. The present study employed Language Management Theory as a frame work for the analysis of the acquired data. The findings of the research indicate that the University of Zululand’s mere desire for the successful implementation of a multilingual discourse plan is insufficient. It is crucial to consider various factors, including the development and incorporation of techno logical tools that can accommodate isiZulu as a language for teaching and learning.
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  • PublicationJournal Article
    2022
     | UZ Foundation
    This article explored funeral and burial rituals among Zulu people during the COVID-19pandemic. It reflected on the agency and resilience displayed by Zulu people in their response to the challenges presented by the novel respiratory disease – COVID-19. The study’s novelty is derived from its focus on how funerals are conducted and how the advent of COVID-19 has affected Zulu culture, particularly in reference to funeral and burial rituals. The study is informed by Mary Douglas’ Cultural Theory (1966, 1978). The Cultural Theory explains how people perceive and act upon the world around them. More specifically the theory claims that people’s actions are largely influenced by social aspects and cultural adherence. This exploratory study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. An ethnographic methodological approach was employed in this study and data were collected using participant observation. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had negative effects on how communities conducted funerals and other cultural rituals. The findings shed light on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Zulu cultural practices that are associated with death and burial rituals.
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