Masters Degrees (DLLS)

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Analysing the environment in verse: An ecocritical study of Julia Amukhoshi's Tales of the Rainbow: A collection of poetry in English and Anneli Nghikembua's A true me in words: An anthology of poems
(University of Namibia, 2017) Andimba, Swama S.
Environmental issues have become a matter of concern for many countries and educational institutions but this subject still remains largely under-investigated in literary studies, particularly in Africa. In this study, Ecocriticism was used in the analysis of Julia Amukoshi’s and Anneli Nghikembua’s poetry anthologies, Tales of the Rainbow: A collection of poetry in English and A True Me in Words: An Anthology of poems. Ecocriticism is concerned with the relationships between literature and environment or how human beings’ relationships with their physical environment are reflected in literature. The major focus was on how the poets used and depicted aspects of nature and for what reasons. The study found that Amukoshi’s and Nghikembua’s poems are filled with significant symbolic images of nature through the use of semantic literary devices. The analysis also revealed that the poems present an interconnection between the poets and nature, whereby they treat every part in nature as if it is a creature that has a soul. Furthermore, the study established that recognizing environmental elements as entities of feeling through human depictions aids in connecting readers with their environment, which in turn culminates in a sustainable conservable relationship between the two. The study concluded that nature and humans are interdependent and that what happens to each would inevitably affect the other. However, nature can maintain itself without human interference, whereas humans need all the elements of nature to survive. The poets have successfully portrayed the environment in a positive manner. In addition the poets have managed to stimulate their audience to preserve and sustain the environment.
An analysis of code switching in the Namibian parliament
(University of Namibia, 2019) Iipinge, Sussana
The focus of this study was on code switching that occurred in the Namibian Parliament as observed from the volumes of parliamentary Hansards from the year 2015 to 2017. This was a desktop study that employed a qualitative design to determine the patterns and reasons for code switching in the Namibian Parliament. Content analysis was used to analyse data collected from the 10 volumes of printed parliamentary Hansards. Data was further interpreted using Myers-Scotton’s Matrix Language Frame Model (MLF) and the Markedness Model (MM). Although English is the official language in Namibia, the parliamentarians still make use of other languages in the parliamentary discourse which leads to code switching. Code switching in Parliament can either facilitate or create a communication barrier among parliamentarians as some of the parliamentarians do not understand some of the languages that are used for code switching. The findings revealed that the Namibian parliamentarians used intra-sentential code switching more frequently compared to tag- and inter-sentential switching. The findings further indicated that parliamentarians often code-switched during interjections and interventions. Code switching was thus used as a rhetorical device in parliamentary discourse. Other reasons for code switching in Parliament are quoting, tone-softening, humour, real lexical need, expression of identity, to strengthen a request and untranslatability of words. The study further revealed that functions and reasons for code switching, can be used interchangeably. Moreover, the findings of the study showed that parliamentarians’ code switched because English does not have some of the words that the indigenous languages have, and in wanting to be precise the parliamentarians used culturally correct terms thereby negatively affecting effective communication in parliament. In addition, the findings revealed that translation makes code switching more effective in facilitating communication among the parliamentarians. ii From the findings of the study it can therefore be concluded that, although code switching creates a communication barrier among parliamentarians, it can also be used as a communicative strategy that facilitates effective communication amongst the parliamentarians. It can further be concluded that code switching makes it easier for the parliamentarians to express themselves freely without being confined to English as the official language. It is therefore recommended that, parliamentarians may make use of code switching in Parliament given that they are able to translate their utterances into English and in cases where the speakers cannot translate their own utterances translation services should be availed to the parliamentarians for effective communication in Parliament.
An analysis of linguistic features of male cosmetics advertisements from FHM (For Him) and GQ (Gentlemen's Quarterly) magazines
(2017) Nekongo, Rauha N.
The world of cosmetics has predominantly been a woman‟s sphere, but in recent years there seems to be an increase in the number of men who use cosmetic products. Cosmetic companies have responded to this by manufacturing and advertising various products. Advertisers design their advertisements incorporating various persuasive features, such as deviant language, images and colours, to mention just a few, to attract men and persuade them to buy the products being advertised. This qualitative study examines how linguistic and non-linguistic elements were employed in English cosmetic advertisements geared towards men. Another aspect the study analysed is how the AIDA model and the three Aristotelian proofs of persuasion were incorporated in male cosmetic advertisements. Thirty advertisements from the GQ (Gentlemen’s Quarterly) and FHM (For Him Magazine) magazines of 2015 were analysed for persuasive features. These two magazines were chosen because they are typical male magazines focusing on entertainment, travel, sex, sports and fashion. This study employed the masculinity theory to examine traces of masculinity in the advertisements, and the AIDA model of advertising to investigate how the advertisements arrest readers‟ attention, arouse interest, and create a desire that would lead to the action of buying such products. Aristotle‟s three proofs of persuasion: ethos, pathos and logos, as well as linguistic and non-linguistic features were identified and their contribution to the persuasion of male consumers to buy cosmetic products was explained. The study revealed that most advertisers used the ethos of celebrities to endorse their products. Celebrity‟s pictures were mostly paired with the product that was being advertised. The use of male celebrity endorsers fed into the notion of the masculinity theory that men are now openly using cosmetic products, and are even portrayed in magazines advertising the products they use. Most advertisers made use of multimodal aspects, semantics and syntactic, lexical and deviations to persuade potential buyers.
An analysis of rhetoric and humour in Dudley's political cartoons published in 2012
(2014) Mwetulundila, Rauna
This dissertation is a rhetorical and humorous study of Dudley’s political cartoons. This thesis explored the use of rhetoric and humour in 25 Dudley’s political cartoons that were printed in 2012. All political cartoons were extracted from The Namibian newspaper. This was a qualitative study. Qualitative research design was chosen because of the descriptive nature of this study. This method is also good in gaining in-depth understanding and a clear description of the characteristics of the political cartoons used in this study. Criterion sampling was used to select all political cartoons that qualify to be part of this study. The study used semiotic and content analysis to sort out the content of the cartoons. Semiotic analysis was chosen because cartoons can be decoded well if an audience has background knowledge of the context in which the cartoon is based. The cartoons were analysed for rhetoric and humour using both visually and language based elements. The analysis of this thesis has employed Aristotle’s rhetorical proofs of persuasion: ethos, pathos and logos as well as humour theories of superiority and incongruity. The study revealed that Dudley’s political cartoons employ ethos when the characters who were chastised and cheered at are individuals who have high profile in society; people whom the readers are looking at and people who are deemed to have goodwill for the nation at heart. Pathos was used to stir up the emotions of the readers so that they can support his arguments. Logos was employed to show that the cartoons are based on the truth. The analysis has found out that there are many rhetorical devices used to make informed arguments. The study has revealed that when the caricatures are criticised and put down because of their actions, superiority theory of humour is employed. The cartoons are incongruous when the cartoonist delivers something humorous and different from the readers’ expectations. There is a predominant relationship between rhetoric and humour of Dudley’s political cartoons.
An analysis of shakespeare's use of rhetoric in the king's speeches in King Henry IV part II and Henry V
(2014) Kamwi, Beven L.
This thesis is an analysis of Shakespeare’s use of rhetoric in the kings’ speeches in King Henry IV Part II and Henry V. The main aim of the study was to analyse Shakespeare’s use of rhetorical devices and their purpose in selected kings’ speeches appearing in King Henry IV Part II and Henry V. This study is based on selected extracts of speeches from the two plays. The speeches were analysed using the rhetorical analysis theory to unravel the use of rhetorical techniques and to explain the purpose of these techniques, as used by King Henry IV and Henry V with the intention to effectively communicate to their audience. The rhetorical analysis theory was used to interpret speeches; hence, it deals with the analysis of the structure of narrative texts to show how the linguistic mediation of a story determines its meaning and effect on the audience.The study revealed that the two speakers, King Henry IV and his son Henry V also known as Prince Hal, effectively employed two of Aristotle’s mode of persuasion; namely ethos and pathos, to appeal to the audience and achieve approval of their arguments. King Henry IV used God’s reference and credibility (ethos) and emotive language (pathos) to firstly convince his son, Prince Hal, to reform and secondly his subjects to support his efforts to quell the rebellion and maintain his troubled throne. On one hand, Henry V also used religious devotion (ethos) in his speeches to target his audience’s hearts (pathos) to enable him to control them. The study also revealed the use of rhetorical techniques and other tools such as metaphors, rhetorical questions, puns/humour, alliteration, hyperbole, metonymy, simile, anaphora, personification, paradox, imagery and so on. It was also found by this study that King Henry IV and Henry V employed the mentioned techniques for different purposes; namely, to impress, warn, intimidate, inspire, manipulate, invoke submission, order and command, praiseworthy, deliver ultimatums, and above all appeal to the audience. This study deduced that the kings’ speeches were not just mere ordinary expressions but utterances that qualified an intention of the speaker.
An analysis of the (re)constructions of gender identities through language use on selected Facebook pages of Namibian youth: A case study of the University of Namiia's postgraduate students
(University of Namibia, 2021) Matheus, Gerhard
The rising popularity of social networking sites among university students has led to invisible lines between students’ offline and online identities. Students are often lured into expressing themselves openly on social networks in ways that expose their personalities. The study explored how the University of Namibia’s post-graduate students (re)construct their gender identities on Facebook through language use. The researcher further explored whether students performed and sustained the societally assigned gender roles on virtual spaces as often as they may do during daily face-toface conversations. Previous scholars have provided inadequate data surrounding aspects such as socio-pragmatic competence, cyber language and gender differences among post-graduate students, and this has prompted this study. By employing the Linguistic Appraisal Theory, the Difference Approach and the Dominance Approach, the researcher pinpointed different ways of gender performance and presentation on social networks. A qualitative approach was used; ethnographic analysis was performed on Facebook walls of 12 male and 12 female students. Furthermore, one-on-one interviews were conducted with eight participants. It emerged that male participants use language that portrays dominance and order (harsh and direct). On the other hand, female participants use polite and subordinate language when engaging in conversations in virtual spaces. It is thus safe to conclude that when engaging in conversations, post-graduate students present ‘an extended offline self’ in virtual spaces. Social networks grant them an opportunity, not to reconstruct identities, but rather extend their already existing ones into more socially acceptable ones. The choice of language employed in virtual environments is similar to the traditional patterns of the language; this shows that Facebook users are still deeply engrossed in culture and maintain societal expectations on virtual environments.
An analysis of the way black African women function in cohabitative relationships as portrayed in ten selected African short stories
(2016) Nashongo, Josephine M.
This study investigated how African women in cohabitative relationships, defined as married and/or unmarried couples who live together and have sexual relationships, cope, as portrayed in the selected ten short stories by black African women writers. The short stories were selected because of recurring themes about women’s empowerment and disempowerment. The study used a qualitative approach by looking at views related to black African women in cohabitative relationships as portrayed in literature. It was informed by the black womanism, stiwanism and the feminism theories. The sample was purposively selected, because the researcher only looked at how black African female authors of short stories depict the experiences of black African women in cohabitative relationships. It seems to be highly likely that the experiences of black African women in cohabitative relationships, both positive and negative, may be traced back to the traditions of a specific society and that the attitudes and culture of a specific society determine the way they cope with their experiences. The findings indicate that black African women’s unequal position in society means that they have less power, income, protection against violence and they have less access to education and even ownership of land. The study further observed that black African women in cohabitative relationships appeared to be victims most of the time and that they did not react to their fates, thus they were often depicted as passive and submissive. There appears some bias by black African women writers, as men are often portrayed in a negative light. Furthermore, black African female authors usually present and represent a certain segment of one side resulting in imbalances of gender representation. African short stories seem to provide avoice to voiceless women. However, it is likely that victims do not have access to the voices that present and represent them.
Anthropomorphism and social issues in selected Namibian children’s literature
(University of Namibia, 2022) Mubuyaeta, Mercy M.
This study explored the use of anthropomorphism in selected Namibian children’s literature texts. The texts that formed part of the analysis were obtained from the anthology, The Stolen Water and Other Stories: Traditional Tales from Namibia (1993) retold by Jennifer Davis, and Mbinda (1998) by Izona Bock. The aforementioned texts were selected because of their use of anthropomorphised animals to address social issues in the Namibian society. The stories analysed were from different tribes such as the Khoisan people, the Ovambo, the Kavango the Herero, Nama and the Damara. The stories are of a folklore nature; thus, they tell the stories from the cultural perspectives of the Namibian people. The study aimed to explore how anthropomorphism as a literary technique is used to communicate social issues in the selected Namibian’s children literature. The analysis of the data was guided by the folklorist theory, as well as primary and secondary sources on the Namibian and African cultures. The study is qualitative literary research and employed thematic analysis of the selected short stories. From the analysis, it was revealed that social issues such as discrimination, environmental destruction, crime, corruption, abuse and poverty are some of the prevalent problems raised in the various societies in Namibia. The study further revealed that most of the social issues are the consequences of the colonial legacy, the mismanagement of the country’s resources and a disregard for culture. Moreover, the analysis appeared to suggest that possible solutions to the problems could be an inclusion of traditional methods as well as the revival of the spirit of Ubuntu in Namibian societies. Finally, the researcher recommends further studies of children’s literature that explore possible imaginative solutions to social issues currently faced in Namibia.
An audio-visual rhetorical analysis of Dr Abraham Iyambo's advocacy for the concept - ''Towards free education for all'
(University of Namibia, 2021) Scholtz-Kotzee, Alvera Mariana
This study offered an audio-visual rhetorical (AVR) analysis of the then Minister of Education and Culture, Dr Abraham Iyambo’s audio-visuals (AVs) on how he advocated for ‘free education for all’ in Namibia. Various government policies and ministers of education have advocated for ‘free education for all’ but arguably they could not promote this goal as much as Dr Abraham Iyambo did. It was only when he became the Minister of Education and Culture in 2010 when ‘free education for all’ came to be advocated for with distinct vigour. The study examined how Iyambo integrated audio-visual rhetoric in his advocacy for ‘free education for all’ in Namibia. It thus investigated how Iyambo employed audio visual patterns (AVP) and related linguistic features in his speeches. The study argues that Iyambo used Burke’s identification theory as a complementary strategy in his audio-visual rhetoric, Cicero’s five canons, and Aristotle’s proofs to persuade the entire education fraternity (audience) to promote this goal. Moreover, the study sought to find out the extent to which Iyambo incorporated other rhetoric devices in his advocacy. The study is the first of its kind to undertake an audio-visual rhetorical analysis of Iyambo’s AVs in his quest to promote the goal of ‘free education for all’ in Namibia. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, and was exploratory in nature. It employed the use of checklists as a data collection tool. Content analysis was used to analyse three videos that were purposively sampled. The symbolic convergence theory (SCT) and the fantasy theme theory (FTA) guided the researcher in the analysis. The findings of the study reflect that Iyambo was an intelligent rhetorician who employed AVPs, trait of linguistic features, Burke’s identification theory, all of Cicero’s five canons, and Aristotle’s proofs in his quest to attain ‘free education for all’ in Namibia. The study concludes that the faculty of rhetoric is of utmost importance in every sphere of life if one must bring about reformation.
Authoring the unspeakables, moralising the public sphere: A literary examination of social commitment and the artistic vision in Sifiso Nyathi's Oeuvre
(University of Namibia, 2018) Iitula, Leena Kaunapawa
This thesis critically analysed how Sifiso Nyathi, through his oeuvre commits to moralise the public sphere, by authoring the commonly unsaid and veiled societal matters. The oeuvre is comprised of five texts, three plays; God of women, The oracle of Cidino, and Tears of fears in the era of terror, a novel; The other presence, and an anthropology of poems; Ballads of insomnia. Each text of the oeuvre deals with a kind of overarching silence in society. The main purpose of the study was to analyse how the author enunciates, re-assesses, makes a judicious inquiry and articulates issues that defy articulation. The researcher evaluated the artistic vision used in the oeuvre to bare the “unspeakables” and the commonly controversial issues that are aggressive toward accepted knowledge. The study employed a qualitative approach and data was analysed using content analysis. Due to the broad nature of the study, the researcher adopted three theories; Maria Pia Lara’s illocutionary approach, The African worldview and Ecocriticism as lenses through which the “unspeakables” were analysed. The study’s major findings revealed that Africans are highly spiritual, superstitious and their belief in ‘another presence’ is undisputable. A patriarchal treatment of women is also bared in the oeuvre. Moreover, Nyathi’s artistic vision is engrossed of day to day life matters in the life of a typical African community which are expressed through various artistic visions. The author succeeded in authoring the “unspeakables” in the Namibian society, allowing imagined alternatives and wide-ranging shades of opinions to be explored. The study concluded that the author successfully employed various artistic visions in the three different genres in his quest to moralise the public sphere. Nyathi authors what society views as taboo, unutterable and forbidden, subsequently bridging the gap between literature and the “unsaid” social realities, opening up avenues for further inquiries and debates. The study strongly recommends further research on “unspeakables” in different genres of African literature to explore the extent of similarities or differences in “unspeakables” in other African societies.
A comparative analysis of Afrofuturism, magical realism and African mythology in Namwali serpell's The old drift and Marlon Jame's Black leopard red wolf: An afrocentric perspective
(University of Namibia, 2021) Mbewe, Masiyaleti
Afrofuturism, Magical Realism and African Mythology are genres in literary fiction that can be used by authors and writers to explore difficult themes, complex characters, speculative settings and experimental plot points. While studies of these genres in literature exist, there has not been sufficient research in these concepts that centre the African perspective or explore the intersections of these genres. The main objective of this study was to investigate how Afrofuturism, Magical Realism and African Mythology are applied in the novels The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell and Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James, to provide an analysis, explore new methods of theorising African literature and challenge current literary epistemologies. This study used the Afrocentric theoretical framework developed by Asante (1980) to meet said objectives and contextualise the analysis of the two novels. One of the main findings of this research outlined how instrumental Afrofuturism, Magical Realism and African Mythology are as literary genres in African literature as they allow authors to centre African perspectives. These perspectives thereby help cultivate a distinct lens that prioritises the African reader. Furthermore, the genres under investigation proved to be a resourceful way for African narratives immerging from the continent to explore a magnitude of complex themes. Lastly, the study recommends that more research on African literature from an Afrocentric perspective be conducted on other literary work produced in the genres of Afrofuturism, Magical Realism and African Mythology as there are more crucial insights yet to be uncovered.
A comparative analysis of identity and belonging in Kopano Matlwa's account and Tony Morrison's The Bluest Eye
(University of Namibia, 2019) Midzi, Penelope T.
The arguments presented in this study deal with the complicated factors associated with the formation of new identities in post-apartheid South Africa and Anglo-Saxon Protestant American communities. This study provides a comparative analysis of identity and belonging as portrayed in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (1970) and Kopano Matlwa’s Coconut (2007). Furthermore, the study explores how identity and belonging relate to issues of standards of white beauty, self-loathing and racial discrimination. This study is based on a desktop research as no field work was carried out. The two novels were selected using purposive sampling for their emphasis on the themes of identity and belonging. The Du Bois’ Double Consciousness concept and Post-colonial theory were used as literary theories to support the study. This study reveals that most of Toni Morrison’s and Kopano Matlwa’s black characters aspire to change circumstances by either accepting and adopting the white culture that surrounds them or by outrightly rejecting it as unacceptable. The findings of this study point to several factors as responsible for the loss of identity and belonging and these include various forms of racial segregation, cultural and linguistic differences. This is more pronounced and evident in racially divided communities where people tend to judge one another based on skin colour and language differences.
A comparative analysis of the depiction of women in Sifiso Nyathi's God of women and William Shakespeare's Othello
(2014) Masule, Christopher M.
This thesis provides a comparative analysis of the depiction of women characters in the plays God of Women by Nyathi and Othello by Shakespeare. The main purpose of the study was to find out how Nyathi and Shakespeare depict women characters in their plays. The researcher evaluated the use of literary techniques the authors use in their portrayal of the female characters in the plays. The researcher employed the feminist literary theory in this study. The study revealed that both Nyathi and Shakespeare use a gender bias style of writing in depicting women characters in their plays. Nyathi’s depictions portray women as sex objects for their husband’s sexual pleasures in a polygamous marriage, and also as exchange materials for wealth. Women also have been portrayed as destitute who have to stay in subservient conditions at the mercy of their husbands. The study also revealed that Nyathi makes use of a wide number of metaphors which carry connotations in his depictions of women to instil superiority over them. Shakespeare also portrays women characters negatively as dependent on their fathers in Othello. He portrays women characters as sex goddesses who would compel men to murder their women out of love. Conversely, Nyathi and Shakespeare depict women as intelligent and rational thinkers. Desdemona in Othello defends her position in her choice for Othello before her father. In God of Women the wives of Chief Lewanika embrace MaInonge in a gesture of solidarity of the oppressed sisters when she collapses after Joyce reveals her secret that MaInonge had a son out of wedlock with Chief Lewanika. The study concluded that both Nyathi and Shakespeare largely portray women characters negatively in their works albeit in different ways that are typical of the cultures and epochs in which the authors lived.
A comparative appraisal analysis of political news in The Namibia and New Era newspapers from 2015 to 2018
(University of Namibia, 2020) Namawe, Kristoph
The thesis is a comparative Appraisal analysis of political news from two Namibian English newspapers (The Namibian and New Era), particularly focusing examining the propagation of journalistic attitudinal biases in political ‘hard news’ stories and journalistic ‘objectivity’. The research compares the textual structures of news reports from the English language reporting Namibian newspapers (The Namibian and New Era), during the period January 2015 - December 2018. It is a time in which the country was grappling with a varied number of concerns which split the nation on political grounds. Such a split based on political ideology seems to have trickled down into main stream media and hence creating a very interesting polarity of the media. For example, during this period and beyond, the nation faces unresolved land disputes which are framed in economic crisis, elections, economic woes and social ethnic division. The polarity of the Namibian media on political lines creates occasions where one issue is projected differently in different newspapers. Utilizing Appraisal Theory, in particular the ‘reporter voice’ configuration, the research analyses the nature of reporter biases in political hard news, The texts were textually analysed in terms of their adherence, or lack of it thereof, to the concerns of the “reporter voice configuration”. The research observes that Namibian newspapers, specifically The Namibian and New Era political reports in English, commonly exhibit cases of deliberate, albeit veiled, biases.
Conflicts of living in two worlds as portrayed by Obi in No longer at ease and Farai in Chairman of fools
(2015) Indongo, Julia N.
This thesis investigated the inner- and interpersonal conflicts caused by living in two different geographical worlds, as well as two different metaphysical worlds as manifested mainly by Obi in No longer at ease but also in Farai in Chairman of fools. The purpose of the study was to explore how African authors depict characters that are affected by these aforementioned conflicting worlds. In addition, the study aimed to examine the way in which two different African authors from two different countries, namely Chinua Achebe from Nigeria and Shimmer Chinodya from Zimbabwe, addressed a similar theme through literature. The two protagonists that were analysed namely, Obi and Farai experienced inner- and interpersonal conflicts when they returned to their native societies (countries respectively) after spending relatively long periods of time abroad. The study applied the hybridity theory and the theory of transnationalism. The purposive sampling method was used to select the two novels, based on similar themes, the inner and interpersonal conflicts experienced by the protagonists. Here, the researcher employed the qualitative content analysis method in order to explore the purpose of this study. The study revealed that the conflicts experienced by the two protagonists happen for different reasons. For Obi conflict mainly occurs because he choose to ignore traditional practices and to behave like a Nigerian during the four years he has been abroad; while Farai finds himself unable to adjust to the progressive transformations that have occurred in his society during his absence. The study further revealed that Obi’s various conflicts also stemmed from societal marital issues based on prejudices that prohibited him to marry the woman he loved. Farai’s conflicts are also religious-based, specifically the Pentecostal church that has been introduced and adopted by his family while he was away. The study further revealed that Obi and Farai’s conflicts were numerous and varied. The commonality regarding the protagonists’ conflict however stemmed from them being affected in many ways by these varied conflicts, leading them to experiencing psychological trauma. The study concluded that both characters did not adequately prepare themselves for any change they encounter based on their exposure to a different culture versus their native society when they returned from overseas. This, therefore, led to them experiencing many inner- and interpersonal conflicts.
Constructing ethos through mottos and mission statements: Exploring the meanings of school mottos in Ohangwena region, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2018) Hamunyela, Hambeleleni Panduleni
School mottos and mission statements use language that is similar to language of advertisement. This study is a stylistic analysis of school mottos and mission statements. The main purpose of the study was to analyse how schools construct their ethos/character through school mottos and mission statements. The study also profiled the nature of school mottos found in Ohangwena region as well as their purpose. This study is a qualitative study. The data collected were critically analysed based on the ethos they intended to profess. This was informed by the linguisticstylistic theory that focuses on analysing and synthesising texts. It allowed the researcher to analyse the text focusing on the linguistic and stylistic features employed in the text. Content analysis was employed as a data analysis method. The study revealed that schools in Ohangwena region construct their intended ethos through their aims, beliefs and goals, which are embedded in their mottos, mission statements as well as logos. It was also revealed that mottos, mission statements and logos work together to construct the ethos of the school. The mottos used imperative verbs, ellipsis, metaphors and hyperbole. The school mottos were found to fall under the following categories: religion, education, knowledge, motivation, unity and achievement and aspirations. The findings of this study add to the field of research into slogans/ mottos and mission statements in Namibia. The study brought to the fore the ethos portrayed by schools through their beliefs and aims as well as the stylistics and linguistics components employed in school mottos and mission statements.
Contemporary linguistic theory and stylistic analysis
(1985) Ndjoze-Ojo, Rebecca Kapitire
A critical analysis of deictic referencing: A case study of selected editorials in the Namibian newspaper
(University of Namibia, 2019) Hangalo, Saara N.
The focus of this study was to analyse deictic referencing in editorials, and particularly, the way in which the editor employed five types of deixis in 30 selected editorials published between June 2016 and June 2017 in The Namibian newspaper. Additionally, the study pursued to identify the predominant deictic referencing and its contribution to cohesion and coherence in the text. This was a qualitative, desktop research in which the process of data analysis involved organising the editorials as raw data for categorisation, based on the types of deixis, namely person, place or spatial, time or temporal, discourse and social. The data analysis was informed by the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theoretical framework. The CDA seeks to understand how and why certain texts affect readers and hearers. Therefore, this theory was found appropriate for this study as it sought an understanding of the use of language in communication by means of deictic referencing. The non-random sampling technique was employed purposively to select 30 of 50 editorials, while textual analysis was considered the appropriate method for this study. The findings revealed that the five types of deixis were employed in all the sampled editorials. The study found that person deixis in the editorials was achieved through the first, second and third person pronouns. On the other hand, time or temporal deixis was achieved by means of deictic words. However, place or spatial deixis, achieved by means of adverbs and demonstrative pronouns, stood out as being frequently employed in order to locate both writer and addressee in space and identify the direction of motion towards or away from the place of the inscription event. It was also discovered that discourse deixis was achieved by means of this, these and that, whereas, social deixis was achieved by means of relational and absolute social deixis. The study concludes that the editor’s employment of deictic referencing intended to facilitate the reader’s understanding of phrases or words that could not be fully understood without additional, textual information. This study provides readers with an idea of the way in which the communication of editorials can be understood more clearly by means of deixis. This suggests that writers should strongly consider the audience whenever they employ deictic referencing.
A critical analysis of pragmatic competence of students at the University of Namibia: A case study of the second year Bachelor of Education students
(University of Namibia, 2018) Nakale, Monika H.
The current study was carried out to investigate the following: firstly, the pragmatic competence of UNAM’s second year Bachelor of Education Students majoring in English in selected speech acts, namely, the speech act of refusal, compliment responses and apologies. Secondly, the relationship between pragmatic and grammatical competencies of the students were investigated. Lastly, it studied the factors that influence students’ pragmatic competence. The researcher intended to have 30 participants, but only 26 participants took part. Purposive sampling was utilized to select the study sample. Three sets of instruments were used to collect data, namely, the Written Discourse Completion Task (WDCT), open-ended questionnaire and the English Language Proficiency (ELP). Data on the students’ pragmatic competence as well as grammatical competence was coded using themes and qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The findings of the study showed that, in terms of the speech act of refusal, students pragmatic competence was somewhat at a low level. However, students demonstrated high level of pragmatic competence in terms of the speech act of compliment responses and that of apologies. Considering the three speech acts of refusal, compliment and apologies results, students’ level of pragmatic competence can be rated as moderate, since students’ first language at some point interfered in how they responded. In addition, the findings indicated that students with different grammatical ability have different refusal, compliment responses and apology approaches. Lastly, the findings showed that there are many factors that may influence pragmatic competence including grammatical competence, educational background, daily activities using English and awareness in using and learning the English language. Teaching of pragmatic knowledge is however recommended.
A critical analysis of the discourse in reviews with the debut novel Kamphoer by Francois Smith as an example
(University of Namibia, 2016) Alexander, Anna S.
A literary text can be analysed in different ways; this research though wanted to analyse the criticism about a successful debut novel to determine if any meaningful deductions could be made from the discourse of reviewers about a text. The reviews about Kamphoer by Francois Smith were perused to find elements that could provide guidelines to amateur authors to write and publish a debut successfully. Kamphoer was selected because it created a stir in the media. It ran into five editions, was translated into other languages and was awarded by the ATKV as the best work of prose in Afrikaans in 2014. The exposure the novel received in the media combined with the reviews, resulted in adequate material to select from for this research. Because different individuals’ interpretation and evaluation on a specific text were analysed, the qualitative research method was used as this method is suitable in a study that does not rest on objective statements. The theoretical framework was compiled, using the principles of discourse, hermeneutical and reception theories. These three theories were applied to juxtapose, compare and analyse the different reader’s opinions of Kamphoer according to their interpretation and evaluation. In conclusion it was found that relevant deductions could be made by analyzing the criticism on the novel. These deductions can be used as a guide for aspirant authors.

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