Browsing by Author "Sindano, Gerson"

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    The confluence of rhetoric and science: A rhetorical enquiry of climate change publications in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2020) Sindano, Gerson
    The thesis explored the dynamics of the rhetoric of the language of science on climate change publications. The arguments presented in this study were drawn from a theoretical framework that saw rhetorical arguments, texts and general discourse as instruments of communication of science publications on climate change in Namibia. Thus, Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) was used in this study. The theoretical framework of the study was extended to incorporate the Aristotelian rhetorical theory. The study aimed at making a consequential input to an ongoing debate about climate change in Namibia and the world over; the use of rhetorical devices in the construction of knowledge about climate change; analysis and exploration of rhetorical elements employed by science researchers. The research was inspired by the study of rhetoric. As such the study looked at the progression of persuasive methodical arguments and facts, as a result providing clear understanding of how scientific publications influence government policy on climate change. The study adopted a qualitative approach. By employing the qualitative approach the emphasis was to discover and understand the epistemological dynamics of rhetoric of science. Rhetorical interpretations of science publications seemed complex, and as such required a research design that enabled such complexity to be analysed and explored. Against this background, this study used the qualitative methodology of desktop research. As a desktop study, the researcher analysed existing climate change sources or publications. The study found that different rhetorical moves and strategies were used by the authors of the analysed documents to try and influence policy makers and the public. The study revealed the frequent use of scare tactics by the authors to try and persuade the public regarding climate change. Moreover, the study exposed the presence of language forms that seemed to rely on perpetual persuasive techniques in order to persuade the current and future generations. Extraordinarily, the analysed publications made known how writers use visual images in a dramatic fashion to appeal to their peers, followers, and mostly the general public. The study developed a new language filter model of science interpretations because the existing models seem to be effective only in dealing with large information; they, however, lack the epistemological and ontological interconnections between science and public interest.
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    Environmental protection using indigenous knowledge (IK) methods and skills for sustainability: A case study in the Kavango East and West regions
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Sindano, Gerson; Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.
    The analysis presented in this study draws from a theoretical framework that sees indigenous knowledge (IK) and discourse as important features of ethno-science publication in Namibia. The study aims to make a meaningful contribution to an on-going debate about IK in Namibia and the world over, the use of IK in the construction of knowledge about ethno-science, and to the analysis and exploration of IK. As such the study looks at the process of authenticating ethno-scientific arguments, knowledge and skills, providing a clear understanding of how IK is used to protect the environment. The study of IK has been concerned with traditional rural activities such as farming methods. The findings and knowledge produced by some IK studies seem to have been arranged as a system of perception rather than real scientific knowledge. The notion put forward is that science rests on facts and evidence, and that it is therefore detached from humanistic rural activities. However, this research paper provides an investigation and exploration of the possible significance of IK for environmental protection. Similtaneously the paper offers an understanding of the place of IK in relation to so-called ‘hard’ scientific knowledge.
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    Environmental protection using Indigenous knowledge (IK) methods and skills for sustainability: Case study in the Kavango East region
    (University of Namibia, 2018) Sindano, Gerson; Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.
    The analysis presented in this study draws from a theoretical framework that sees indigenous knowledge (IK) and discourse as important features of ethno–science publication in Namibia. The study aims to make a meaningful contribution to an ongoing debate about IK in Namibia and the world over; the use of IK in the construction of knowledge about ethno–science; analysis and exploration of IK. As such the study looks at the process of authenticating ethno – scientific argument, knowledge and skills, providing clear understanding of how IK is used to protect the environment
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    Exploring how modern sciences impede the development of indigenous knowledge (IK) [Ethno-science and Ethno-mathematics] in the Kavango East region: A case study
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.; Sindano, Gerson
    The analysis of this research paper is drawn from theoretical framework that indicates the relationship between modern science and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in their different environments. The focus of this study was to establish the relationship between modern science and indigenous knowledge (IK), particularly how modern science has become dominant over IK. This seems to have resulted in many IK systems becoming extinct and redundant. The significance of this study is to contribute to the existing scientific body of knowledge since there seems to be dearth of IK documented information. It also creates awareness on the existence of traditional methods and skills that were used and still being used in their livelihood. In addition, the research paper provides explanation on the importance of the IK in relation to modern science. In the same vein the research paper draws parallel lines among the ethno-sciences, ethno-ma-thematics and modern science. Since the paper focuses on ethno-sciences and ethno-mathematics, learning systems of imparting knowledge were meticulously investigated. This paper places IK at the center of the knowledge creation instead of being an obstacle to the development of contemporary science and mathematics.
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    A study of rhetorical devices used in selected car advertisements in the Namibian newspaper
    (2014) Sindano, Gerson
    The language of car advertising is viewed as unique and completely different from everyday language. The rhetorical elements and unusual linguistic arrangement of words make the language of car advertisement special and unique. This study seeks to examine the rhetorical devices in selected car advertisements, to examine the language used in car advertisements, and to explore rhetorical structure and strategies in selected car advertisements. This is a desk study, whose research was done using existing sources. The research is qualitative in nature, as the collected car advertisements from The Namibian newspaper were critically examined from a rhetorical point of view and subsequently arranged according to brand names. Similarly, slogans from the advertisements were placed next to each type of make or car they belonged to in a table. Forty car advertisements were selected for analysis of rhetorical strategy, language, and rhetorical structure. The selection of car advertisements was based on the availability of car advertisements in the chosen newspaper; in the situation where the advertisement was repeated, a sample of one advertisement was chosen. The samples of car advertisements were taken from The Namibian newspaper dating from January 2012 to December 2012. All forty car advertisements studied were found to entail some of the persuasive moves suggested by Hashim (2010), including establishing credibility, introducing offer, offering incentives, and soliciting a response. The finding contains new moves that are not part of what Hashim suggested. The characteristics and the nature of language employed by most car advertisers in Namibia are slightly different, if conclusions drawn by Hashim are anything to go by. Moreover, Hashim suggested pressure tactics as one of the rhetorical moves in his study. The language used in car advertisements is well crafted. The examined car advertisements were found to contain slogans, aggressive language, comparative, and superlative form. Beyond the persuasive moves suggested by Hashim, commands and directives are other forms of persuasive techniques detected following the analysis of 40 advertisements. Based on the findings of this study, recommendation is made that further study or research be undertaken into car advertisements to explore rhetorical strategies unique to Namibia. This study is a considerable input to the study of rhetorical advertisement in Namibia.