AFL2601
ASSIGNMENT 2
SEMESTER 1 2024
AFL2601 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2024
, Assignment 2
ENGLISH 20: TOTAL MARKS: [100]
Question 1: Socio-Historical introduction to African Languages
1.1 Name the seven families of language that all languages which are
indigenous to the continent of Africa fall under as stated by Wemer (1930),
and Phillippson (2003) (7)
The seven families of language that all indigenous African languages fall under, as
stated by Werner (1930) and Phillippson (2003), are:
1. Niger-Congo
2. Afro-Asiatic
3. Nilo-Saharan
4. Khoisan
5. Austronesian
6. Indo-European
7. Creole
1.2 Demonstrate how synchronic comparison occur using the same word from
three indigenous languages of South Africa. (3)
Synchronic comparison can occur by using the same word from three indigenous
languages of South Africa. For example, the word for "water" in Zulu is "amanzi," in
Xhosa it is "amanzi," and in Sotho it is "metsi." This demonstrates how different
languages in South Africa share similar words and meanings.
1.3 Guthrie (1949) state that a language to be considered as part of the Bantu
languages family need to display certain features. Name these features and
use example from your own language to support your answer. (10)
ASSIGNMENT 2
SEMESTER 1 2024
AFL2601 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2024
, Assignment 2
ENGLISH 20: TOTAL MARKS: [100]
Question 1: Socio-Historical introduction to African Languages
1.1 Name the seven families of language that all languages which are
indigenous to the continent of Africa fall under as stated by Wemer (1930),
and Phillippson (2003) (7)
The seven families of language that all indigenous African languages fall under, as
stated by Werner (1930) and Phillippson (2003), are:
1. Niger-Congo
2. Afro-Asiatic
3. Nilo-Saharan
4. Khoisan
5. Austronesian
6. Indo-European
7. Creole
1.2 Demonstrate how synchronic comparison occur using the same word from
three indigenous languages of South Africa. (3)
Synchronic comparison can occur by using the same word from three indigenous
languages of South Africa. For example, the word for "water" in Zulu is "amanzi," in
Xhosa it is "amanzi," and in Sotho it is "metsi." This demonstrates how different
languages in South Africa share similar words and meanings.
1.3 Guthrie (1949) state that a language to be considered as part of the Bantu
languages family need to display certain features. Name these features and
use example from your own language to support your answer. (10)
