AFL1501 Assignment
3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester
1 2026 - DUE 8 April
2026
[Pick the date]
, Exam (elaborations)
AFL1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DUE 8 April
2026
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Course
Language Through an African Lens (AFL1501)
1.1 Describe how names are selected in your family or community and
explain the meanings or values associated with those names. Relate to
Unit 3.4 (Naming conventions). 1.2 Explain how your language contributes
to your personal identity. Provide at least one real-life example. Link to
Unit 3.6. 1.3 Select one family or cultural ritual that you have witnessed
or taken part in. Explain how language shapes its meaning and emotional
effect. Unit 3.8. 1.4 Explain how your family played a role in shaping your
identity while you were growing up. Unit 3.3. 1.5 Discuss how people in
your community use clan names, surnames, or praise names to identify
themselves, and why this is important.
1.1 Naming Selections and Values (Unit 3.4)
In many South African communities, naming is rarely a random choice; it is a deliberate act of
narrative-building. Names are often selected based on the circumstances surrounding a child's
birth or the aspirations of the elders. Following the conventions in Unit 3.4, my community often
uses situational naming. For example, a child born after a long period of family hardship might
be named Lindiwe ("waited for") or Oluyemi ("God befits me"). These names carry the "value of
gratitude" and serve as a constant reminder of the family's history. Unlike Western conventions
that might prioritize aesthetic sound, our naming convention treats the name as a living prayer
or a historical marker that anchors the individual to their lineage.
1.2 Language and Personal Identity (Unit 3.6)
According to Unit 3.6, language is not just a tool for communication; it is the primary vehicle
of culture. My language contributes to my identity by providing a specific "worldview" that
other languages might not capture.
Real-life Example: In my home language, we have specific terms for different types of
"respect" depending on the age and relation of the person addressed. When I speak my
mother tongue, I feel a shift in my persona—I become more conscious of my place within
a collective. Using terms like Mma or Ntate creates an immediate sense of belonging and
3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester
1 2026 - DUE 8 April
2026
[Pick the date]
, Exam (elaborations)
AFL1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DUE 8 April
2026
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Course
Language Through an African Lens (AFL1501)
1.1 Describe how names are selected in your family or community and
explain the meanings or values associated with those names. Relate to
Unit 3.4 (Naming conventions). 1.2 Explain how your language contributes
to your personal identity. Provide at least one real-life example. Link to
Unit 3.6. 1.3 Select one family or cultural ritual that you have witnessed
or taken part in. Explain how language shapes its meaning and emotional
effect. Unit 3.8. 1.4 Explain how your family played a role in shaping your
identity while you were growing up. Unit 3.3. 1.5 Discuss how people in
your community use clan names, surnames, or praise names to identify
themselves, and why this is important.
1.1 Naming Selections and Values (Unit 3.4)
In many South African communities, naming is rarely a random choice; it is a deliberate act of
narrative-building. Names are often selected based on the circumstances surrounding a child's
birth or the aspirations of the elders. Following the conventions in Unit 3.4, my community often
uses situational naming. For example, a child born after a long period of family hardship might
be named Lindiwe ("waited for") or Oluyemi ("God befits me"). These names carry the "value of
gratitude" and serve as a constant reminder of the family's history. Unlike Western conventions
that might prioritize aesthetic sound, our naming convention treats the name as a living prayer
or a historical marker that anchors the individual to their lineage.
1.2 Language and Personal Identity (Unit 3.6)
According to Unit 3.6, language is not just a tool for communication; it is the primary vehicle
of culture. My language contributes to my identity by providing a specific "worldview" that
other languages might not capture.
Real-life Example: In my home language, we have specific terms for different types of
"respect" depending on the age and relation of the person addressed. When I speak my
mother tongue, I feel a shift in my persona—I become more conscious of my place within
a collective. Using terms like Mma or Ntate creates an immediate sense of belonging and
