1,720,973 research outputs found
A cognitive analysis of metaphor in Shona terminological dictionaries
No full textIt is well-known among linguists and lexicographers that metaphor plays a pivotal role in the creation of new terminology and its importance in the expansion of the Shona lexicon in response to scientific, technical and educational demands cannot be overemphasised. Like most languages, Shona is growing through the use of lexicon expansion strategies such as borrowing, clipping, derivation and coinage. Through such strategies, lexical gaps that are created in communication are filled, and one linguistic phenomenon that is central in language growth is metaphor. This article is inspired by the fact that lexicographers use metaphor in its varying forms to expand the Shona lexicon, especially in the compilation of terminological dictionaries. The article attempts to contribute towards a broader and deeper understanding of the divergent forms of metaphor and how they are utilised by lexicographers in the compilation of terminological dictionaries. The examples used are drawn from three specialised dictionaries compiled by researchers at the African Languages Research Institute (ALRI) of the University of Zimbabwe, namely, Duramazwi reUrapi neUtano, Duramazwi reMimhanzi and Duramazwi reDudziramutauro noUvaranomwe. The main objective is to show how metaphor is used in language development using tenets of Cognitive Grammar (CG)
A contextual analysis of compound nouns in Shona lexicography
Get PDFPhilosophiae Doctor - PhDThis research is in the area of lexicography and investigates the relationship between Shona terminology development and the culture of the language community for which the terminology is intended. It is a contextual analysis of compound nouns found in Shona terminological dictionaries. The study specifically explores how lexicographers together with health, music, language and literature specialists make use of their knowledge about Shona cultural contexts in the creation of compound nouns. Thus, this research foregrounds Shona socio-cultural contexts and meaning generation in terminology development. This study employs a quadruple conceptual framework. The four components of the framework that are utilised are the Traditional Descriptive Approach (TDA), Cognitive Approach (CG), Systemic Functional Approach (SFL), and Semiotic Remediation (SRM). TDA is used in the linguistic categorisation of Shona compound nouns. In addition, it provides the metalanguage with which to describe the constituent parts of Shona compound nouns. As TDA is mainly confined to the linguistic dimension, this research employs CG, SFL, and SRM to explore the cultural and socio-cognitive dimensions of terminology development.South Afric
The Impact of Translation Activities on the Development of African Languages in Multilingual Societies: Shona–Ndebele–English Musical Terms Dictionary, A Case Study
No full textThis article is based on a paper read at the Eighth International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of Namibia, Windhoek: 7–9 July 2003.,The article examines the impact of translation activities on the development of African languages in a multi-lingual Zimbabwean society. It analyzes Shona musical terms that were created through translation processes and strategies such as borrowing, coining, compounding and derivation. Focus is on how the ongoing term-creation is contributing to or hindering the development of the Shona language. The importance of such strategies and processes are discussed in the broader context of empowering African languages. The article also offers recommendations on how best to come up with systematized terminology in music and other specialized fields
A contextual analysis of compound nouns in Shona lexicography
No full textPhilosophiae Doctor - PhDThis research is in the area of lexicography and investigates the relationship between Shona terminology development and the culture of the language community for which the terminology is intended. It is a contextual analysis of compound nouns found in Shona terminological dictionaries. The study specifically explores how lexicographers together with health, music, language and literature specialists make use of their knowledge about Shona cultural contexts in the creation of compound nouns. Thus, this research foregrounds Shona socio-cultural contexts and meaning generation in terminology development. This study employs a quadruple conceptual framework. The four components of the framework that are utilised are the Traditional Descriptive Approach (TDA), Cognitive Approach (CG), Systemic Functional Approach (SFL), and Semiotic Remediation (SRM). TDA is used in the linguistic categorisation of Shona compound nouns. In addition, it provides the metalanguage with which to describe the constituent parts of Shona compound nouns. As TDA is mainly confined to the linguistic dimension, this research employs CG, SFL, and SRM to explore the cultural and socio-cognitive dimensions of terminology development.South Afric
COVID-19, strategic language, and communication: Implications of mass media to the ethical well-being of the society
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Society plays a vital role in guiding human behaviours; as a result, the public needs to adhere to societal rules. This then gives primal importance to institutions, especially mass media, which communicate to the public. The accuracy of the institutions\u27 information influences how well the public adheres to societal rules. This paper uses COVID-19 as a case study to investigate how mass media influences society\u27s compliance with societal rules. This paper aims to examine both the positive and negative impacts of the media during COVID-19 and massages out how the media bring about social change through their influence on human behaviour. This paper is guided by strategic communication theory. The paper concludes that moving forward, the ethics of mass media is the best approach as it would go a long way to ensure that the industry\u27s standards are high.
Keywords: COVID-19, Mass media, Strategic Language, Communication, Ethic
Navigating tradition and modernity in'Seven Doors', a Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series: exploring religious syncretism and cultural identity
No full textThis paper examines the portrayal of religious syncretism in Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series Seven Doors, analyzing how the narrative represents the intersection between traditional Nigerian religious practices and modern faith systems. Through a qualitative content analysis of the six-episode series, this study explores the fictional representation of traditional religious elements, particularly the Ifa divination system and ancestral worship, as they interact with contemporary religious perspectives in modern Nigerian Yoruba storytelling. While acknowledging the limitations of using creative media as primary evidence for theoretical frameworks, the analysis investigates how the series employs religious syncretism as a narrative device that reflects broader cultural discourses in contemporary Nigeria. The study contextualizes the series' fictional portrayal within existing scholarship on religious syncretism, positioning Seven Doors as a cultural text that offers insights into popular perceptions and representations of religious coexistence in Nigeria. By examining this media representation alongside established theoretical and empirical research on Nigerian religious practices, this paper contributes to the growing body of literature on religious representation in African media and explores how streaming platforms participate in cultural conversations about traditional African religious practices in modern contexts
A contextual and transdisciplinary analysis of pedagogic, operational and administrative frameworks of a Writing Centre : the case of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Writing Centre (WrC)
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Public Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017.Different pedagogies, and writing styles have not only over the years transformed the face of academia, but have played a pivotal role in shaping diverse curricula and contributing to their development. In pursuit of attaining suitable models that have administrative and operational frameworks that address the ever-growing myriad multicultural world we live in today; different models and facilities have been developed to keep up with the development of academic literacies. The overall aim of this research was to investigate a model Writing Centre (WrC) and how its pedagogic, operational and administrative framework contributes to the growth of curricular in an institution of higher education. The study examined the power relations of the tutor and tutee relationship, as explained by the critical discourse analysis and how it adopts the customer contact theory to focus on the intangible assets of the student. The researcher used mixed methods analysis to be able to understand perceptions, views, expectations and experiences by students to explore the different ontologies and epistemologies associated with curriculum development. Finally, the research concluded that a positive contribution to growth for teaching is defined by the pedagogic, operational and administrative framework of a given WrC. It is however, imperative to note that the model can move away from what ought to be but still work, as the phenomenon of a WrC is informed by the institution in which it is birthed. Thus, the findings of this study are not disconfirmed by previous theories and research on similar efforts, but rather add to the already existent knowledge base on writing centres.
Factors influencing the growth of SMEs in Durban
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.The research study investigated the factors that affect the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Durban Metropolitan Area. The global economic environment has been facing a plethora of challenges in recent times and nations are struggling to find ways of stimulating their economies. SMEs have been known to be great contributors to the development of economies through the provision of employment and increasing the Gross Domestic Product. However, inasmuch as SMEs are drivers of economic growth in various countries, there are diverse factors that influence the growth of SMEs, leading to stunted growth and sometimes closure of these businesses. The study focused on investigating the factors influencing the growth of SMEs in Durban. A mixed methods approach was adopted for conducting the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to 60 SME owners in Durban and there was a 100% response rate. In addition, 12 interviews with other owners of SMEs were conducted to gather in-depth information on the factors influencing the growth of SMEs. The convenience non-probability sampling technique was employed in coming up with the sample from the target population, which comprised both registered and unregistered SMEs. The researcher personally administered and collected the questionnaires from the business owners. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted by the researcher with SME owners. Quantitative data was then analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0, whilst qualitative data was analysed using Nvivo 11. The study found that entrepreneurial skills, the availability of support and training for SME owners, managerial skills and the availability of capital are important factors that influence the growth of SMEs. In addition, the study found that government policies that favour the formation of SMEs are crucial for the growth of these businesses.
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