Academic Articles by Staff
'Translated for the dogs: Language use in Cape Town signage
by Tessa Dowling
Language Matters: Studies in the Languages of Africa, (43)2, 2012
To link to this article:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10228195.2012.688763
To what extent do official and non-official signs in Cape Town reflect a multilingual society in which all languages are declared equal? What are the languages and the varieties of language used in official Cape Town signage? What languages are used in Cape Town's tourist areas? What languages are used by informal businesses in townships? This article sets out to answer these questions by examining signage in Cape Town generally and more specifically that which exists in a number of distinct residential vicinities: the ‘tourist’ areas of Sea Point, Muizenberg and Kirstenbosch, and the townships of Langa and Masiphumelele. The analysis is informed by current geosemiotic theories as well as recent research into language shift and educational literacy in South Africa. The tendency to use Xhosa (the most widely spoken African language in Cape Town) for symbolic reasons in commercial and official signage is interrogated and exemplified, as is the use of English for social and economic motivations.
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'Stressed and sexy': Lexical borrowing in Cape Town Xhosa
by Tessa Dowling
International Journal of Multilingualism, (8)4 2011
To link to this article:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2011.604128
Codeswitching by African language speakers in South Africa (whether speaking English or the first language) has been extensively commented on and researched. Many studies analyse the historical, political and sociolinguistic factors behind this growing phenomenon, but there appears to be little urgency about establishing a database of new lexicons to inform first-language interventions in education and public information programmes. In this article I use research conducted in three townships in Cape Town to focus on one aspect of codeswitching, namely lexical borrowing, in one of South Africa's languages, Xhosa. The central argument tested in this article is that lexical borrowing in Xhosa is driven by a need to simplify expression by using syllabically shorter English words. I test this hypothesis by a) establishing the average syllabic difference between Xhosa and English; b) seeking lexical responses to a set of pictures; c) analysing lexical borrowing in the main Xhosa radio station. In addition, the article uses the data collected to elucidate the link between the Xhosa speakers' lexicon and the concepts it needs to describe, and then suggests further possible reasons for the choice of English over Xhosa.
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Pop singer as healer: the use of Xhosa lyrics as cultural self-realization
by Tessa Dowling
Journal of African Cultural Studies, 23(2) 2011
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13696815.2012.638021
This article examines the significance of the vocation to divinership (ukuthwasa) for a contemporary Xhosa Afro-soul artist. We explore the singer’s calling and the way in which she blurs the boundaries between what it means to be a traditional Xhosa healer and what it means to be a contemporary singer who chooses to sing in Xhosa about Xhosa cultural practices. The healing power of the vernacular is not explicitly declared, although her lyrics suggest that it is through singing in Xhosa that she can best realize her potential as a healer. We demonstrate that the singer’s choice of a culturally specific non-secular lexicon firmly situates her within an ideological framework that underscores a commitment to, and belief in, a social experience specific to Xhosa healers. We further examine the disjuncture created by the absence of a traditional divination musical style in songs which nevertheless overtly declare an allegiance to a spiritual journey marked by a particular musical tradition. Finally we question the relevance and significance of the diviner calling to young, urban Xhosa speakers and their reaction to a popular singer making her calling public through her music.
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Violence and its consequences in R.L. Peteni's KwaZidenge (Hill of fools)
by Abner Nyamende
South African Journal of African Languages, 30(1) 2010
To link to this article:
http://www.sabinet.co.za/abstracts/sajal/sajal_v30_n1_a11.html
R.L. Peteni's (1980) novel, KwaZidenge, is a story with ethnic bloodshed and violence as some of its dominant themes. In the novel, violence is being perpetrated by the youth and the grown-ups. Perhaps Peteni's message is that to the youth violence is an instinctive behaviour whereas to the grown-ups violence is a deliberate and thoughtless act. The youngest victim of violence is Zuziwe's unborn child who is killed by its mother through abortion. Zuziwe is herself a victim of violence, and so is Katana, the boy who is killed in battle. Perhaps Peteni's aim in using violence as a theme in his novel is to demonstrate the selfishness, thoughtlessness and inconsiderate behaviour of people in general.
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'Akuchanywa apha please' No peeing here please: The language of signage in Cape Town
by Tessa Dowling
South African Journal of African Languages, 30(2) 2010
To link to this article:
http://www.nisconline.com/index.php/sajal/article/view/39
This article examines the language used on both formal and informal signage in Cape Town. Using the theory of geosemiotics with examples of actual signage, I discuss the semantic vulnerability of language when a sign is used outside its intended context; the sociolinguistic implications of poor translations; the phenomenon of monolingual and bilingual signage as opposed to trilingual signage; the symbolic hegemony of English and Afrikaans over Xhosa; and the lessons that can be learnt from language used on informal township signs and advertisements.
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Beyond 2000: Sharpening the focus on the indigenous languages
by Abner Nyamende
South African Journal of African Languages, 28(2) 2008
To link to this article:
http://www.sabinet.co.za/abstracts/sajal/sajal_v28_n2_a4.html
This article is intended to stimulate intense discussions on the issue of the indigenous languages in South Africa. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that the South African indigenous languages are historically disadvantaged, and therefore extra effort should be applied to elevate their status and to advance their usage. The Bill of Rights stipulates that everyone has a right to use the language of his/her choice. This, therefore, means that the development of the indigenous languages is fully backed by our country’s constitution. The Pan South African Language Board has given us correct guidelines towards developing our indigenous languages. In developing our indigenous languages we should observe language ownership, language diffusion and language empowerment.
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