AFL2601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2024

AFL2601 Assignment 2
Semester 2 2024




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,AFL2601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2024




QUESTION 1: SOCIO-HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN LANGUAGES

1.1 List the nine official indigenous South African Languages, and critically discuss why

these languages can be classified as a ‘language family’ on their own. (13)

1.2 Does Afrikaans form part of indigenous South African languages? Give reasons for

your answer. (2)

1.3 Demonstrate language zone in your province of residence, and how the standard

language has been chosen or selected. (5) /20

QUESTION 2: STRUCTRAL OVERVIEW OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES

2.1 In order for borrowed nouns to be able to generate agreement morphemes which

then link them to other elements in the sentence, they need to be accommodated in one

of the noun classes. Give a brief explanation regarding the importance of the above

statement using suitable examples from your own language. (4)

2.2 Explain why noun classes such as class 14, and 15 are regarded as productive

nouns. Use examples from your own language to support your answer. (4)

2.3 A verb can be extended using a suffix and this is evident in all indigenous South

African languages. Give one example from your language where “reciprocal” as an

extension is used. (2)

Question 1: Socio-Historical Introduction to African Languages

, 1.1 List the nine official indigenous South African languages and critically

discuss why these languages can be classified as a ‘language family’ on their

own. (13)

Nine official indigenous South African languages:

1. isiZulu

2. isiXhosa

3. Sepedi (Northern Sotho)

4. Sesotho (Southern Sotho)

5. Setswana

6. isiNdebele

7. siSwati

8. Tshivenda

9. Xitsonga

Critical discussion: These languages can be classified as a ‘language family’ due to

their shared linguistic characteristics, historical origins, and cultural connections. They

belong to the Bantu language family, a subgroup of the larger Niger-Congo language

family. The Bantu languages share common features such as:

• Phonological similarities: Similar sound systems, including the use of click

sounds in languages like isiZulu and isiXhosa.