Department of Language and Literature

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A pragma-dialectical approach in television talk show argumentation: A case study of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation’s one-on-one discourse
(University of Namibia, 2024) Sibalatani, Cecilia Chuma; Sabao, Collen
This study investigated the argumentative discourse of the Namibian Broadcast Corporation (NBC) One-on-One talk show interviews between the host and a guest. Although the interviews present different guests per sitting, the host is an NBC employee assigned to the interview segment and is couched within the theoretical explications of pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation (van Eemeren, 2017). The pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation is fundamentally a broad spectrum of the study of linguistics that has, through its development and growth, shifted its interest and focus from abstractions of formal logic to a more structured interest in pragmatics. This theory has since been more concerned with pragma-dialectics encompassing the rules of argumentation, strategic manoeuvring, and effectiveness through reasonableness. The discourse in argumentation varies in a range of how influential political figures represent or defend their points of view on the issue at hand. Specifically, the study represented a qualitative establishment of television show discourse, and it was primarily focused on investigating the patterns of pragma dialectics in which the host of the talk show and the guest strategically manoeuvred to resolve differences of opinion. In the same vein, the study investigated whether the resolution of the differences of opinion was achieved and how effectiveness and reasonableness played any role in the process of the arguers' attempt to defend their standpoint on issues under discussion. The data was collected from archived audio recordings transcribed into readable text files. The topics of the talk show discussions covered were on issues pertaining to Namibia’s social, economic and political spheres. The analysis employed the pragma-dialectical method to evaluate the data. The findings, on one part, demonstrated that three turn-taking strategies played a vital role in the argumentative discourse in the following ways: the arguers (especially the host) used the turn-holding strategy in order to maintain and prolong their window of talking. This was more prevalent in the repetitive use of "but", and "and". The arguers also used turn-claiming as a strategy by interjection and conjunctions such as “but!”, “really!’ and “Oh!” Turn-yielding strategy was also used but rarely. The arguers decided to give up their turn to talk when deemed necessary and when they seemed to have exhausted their stance in opinion. This benefitted the opponent ii in the argument by rendering them more time to express and defend their standpoint at certain issues. The findings further reflected that, through the constellation of argumentative moves displayed by the arguers, argumentative patterns were employed through their typology of standpoints, a difference of opinions, argumentative schemes and argumentative structure. It was also observed that the arguers strategically manoeuvred at every stage of the discussion to maintain their standpoint; in this regard, argumentative patterns came up as a result of strategic manoeuvring. By trying to observe the importance of being effective and reasonableness, the arguers still strategically manoeuvred. Although there are numerous pragma-dialectic studies on talk shows, the study concluded that there was a need for improvement in journalistic communication skills between One-on One talk show in terms of strategic manoeuvring and adhering to the rules that apply in every argumentation stage. It is recommended that further studies should be carried out directed towards communication skills in television shows, especially in situations where non-native English speakers struggle to express their opinions and fail effectively to defend their viewpoints due to language barriers and poor argumentation strategies
Academic literacy: What's in a name?
(Namibian Educational Research Association (NERA), 2008) Smit, Talita C.
An alarming number of scholars have discussed Southern African students’ low proficiency in academic literacy on entering tertiary institutions. This article will take an in-depth look into the current interpretation of what constitutes academic literacy. It will, furthermore, look at the relationship between critical thinking and autonomy in learning. The changing profile of Namibian university students, their ethnic, social and academic identities and the marked influence this has on designing courses to integrate them into a predominantly Western academic culture will be discussed. The focus will be on the Namibian students’ need for direction and support in developing proficiency in critical literacy. Suggestions on how English for Intellectual Purposes can support courses in English for Academic Purposes will be given. Further research into the specific needs and strengths of first generation students is, however, necessary. In the course of lecturing university students in Namibia, I have increasingly become aware that no matter what method of instruction is followed, students still seem to be bewildered at the end of a semester course in English for Academic Purposes (hereafter EAP), offered as an introduction to their academic studies. Conversations with lecturers from other faculties also indicate that students do not seem to gain much from EAP courses. Otaala (2005) has found that most of those students who participated in a survey indicated that they did not experience lasting gains in academic proficiency even after attending courses to develop literacy skills. On the other hand, there appears to be constant upgrading and redefining of EAP course material in an attempt to satisfy the students’ academic needs. Artificially loading courses and extending their duration, however, seem to be contra-productive. An innovative approach towards academic literacy is needed if students should derive lasting benefits; however, some of the qualities in the successful student profile, such as the development of critical thinking skills and self-reliance, defy easy reduction to attainable course goals and would be difficult to quantify within an assessed syllabus. This is not to say that such a syllabus cannot be divised, but only that it might not be possible to subject it to the same constraints and objectives (Sowden, 2003) set for existing EAP courses. Language courses which aim to promote learner autonomy need to incorporate means of transferring responsibility for aspects of the language that the learners process (such as setting goals, setting learning strategies and evaluating progress) from the teacher to the learner (Cotterall, 2000). However, before an informed solution to the current dilemma in EAP skills teaching can be suggested, it is necessary to consider the term literacy in depth.
Ade ,trenne nie st, denn es tut ihm weh
(eDUSA, 2006) Zappen·Thomson, Marianne
Am 1. August 2006 trat die reformierte Reform der deutschen Rechtschreibung in Schulen und Behorden in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Kraft. Da weder der namibianische noch der sUdafrikaniscbe Schwanz mit dem deutschen Hund wedeln kann, sollten auch wir als Lebrende uns sehr schnell mit den neuen Regeln veruaut mac hen. Bi es zu der Reform der Reform kam, vergingen Jahrzehnte. Schon 1980 wurde der lnternationle Arbeiskreis fur Rechtscbreibreform (TAR) gegrUndet und mit Germanisten aus der BRD, der DDR, aus bsterreich und aus der Schweiz besetzt. 1987 erteilt die Kultusminsterkonferenz (KMK) dem Institut fUr Deutsche Sprachc in Mannheim den Auftrag, in Abstimmung mit der Gesellschaft fUr deutsche Sprache in Wiesbaden ein neues Regelwerk zu entwerfen. Der IAR legt 1992 einen international abgestimmten Vorschlag genannt ,Deutsche Recbtschreibung - YorschHige zur ihrer Neuregelung" vor. Die Vorlage wird Uberarbeitet, u.a. wird der Vorschlag, die Substantivkleinschreibung einzufUhren, rUckgangig gemacht. 1995 beschlieBt die KMK die Neuregelung zum I. August 1998 einzufuhren und zwar mit einer Ubergangsphase bis 2004/2005. Wahrend einige Bundeslander schon mit Schulbeginn 1996/97 die neuen Regeln im Unterricht einfUhren, unterzeichnen etwa 100 Schriftstellcr und Wissenchaftler die ,Frankfurter Erklarung", die einen Stopp der Reform verlangt. Der Streit urn die Reform beginnt. Am 14. Juli 1998 erklart das Bundesverfassungsgericht die EinfUhrung der neuen Rechtscbreibung fUr verfassungsgema6. Alte Schreibweisen werden in den Schulen nicht als Fehler gewertet, gelten aber als Uberholt. Docb damit verstummt die Kritik keineswegs. Als Reaktion wird 2004 der ,Rat flir deutsche Rechtschreibung" ins Leben gerufen, des en Aufgabe es ist, die Rechtschreibung in ihrcr Emwicklung zu beobachten und begrUndete Vorschlage zur Anpassung zu erarbeiten. Dabei geht es vor allem urn die KHirung von Zweifelsfallen. fm Februar 2006 hat der Rat AnderungsvorschHige vorgelegt, die an1 2. Marz von den zusUindigen staatlichen Stellen Ubernommen wurden und nun als GrundJage fUr den Schulunterricht gelten. Bis Ende 2007 wird die alte Schreibung nicht als Fehler gewertet.
Afrikaanse Spreekwoorde en Uitdrukkings
(AFRILEX, 1999) Beuke-Muir, Chrisna
Afrikaanse Spreekwoorde en Uitdrukkings. A Macrostructural Study. A restricted synchronic dictionary such as Afrikaanse Spreekwoorde en Uitdrukkings has an important role to play in modem Iexirography where user-friendly reference sources facilitate communication. A considerable number of theoretical guidelines exist for the choice of lexicon items to be included in a dictionary, and this review article attempts to provide some pointers. The research also includes sociolinguistic implications which result from the compilation of the macrostructure of a particular dictionary. The focal points are firstly taboos to which lexicographers of Afrikaans􀂸 dictionaries are subjected, and secondly establishing which expressions fall within the limits of idiomatic language usage. The treatment of idiom-like collocations particularly appears to be problematic. Another issue which will be considered briefly, ls the morphological presentation of lemmas.
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.
Assessing students in English for Academic Purposes: The role of alternative assessment tools in writing instruction
(2018) Hamakali, Hafeni P.
This study aims to investigate the assessment of students in the English for Academic Purposes course at the University of Namibia Language Centre. There has been increasing criticism of standardised test and examinations and it has brought into question the value of other indirect approaches to language assessment (Reeves, 2000; Sharifi, & Hassaskhah, 2011; Tsagari, 2004). The study draws its theoretical foundation from the constructivist’s view of education (Canagarajah, 1999; Schunk, 2009; Vygotsky, 1962). The study embraces the interpretivist approach to research which tends to be more qualitative, and is open to diverse ways that people may understand and experience the same non-manipulated objective reality. The participants in this study are students and lecturers of the English for Academic Purposes course at the University of Namibia Language Centre. The study employs a qualitative research design, along with triangulation, where qualitative data was collected through lecturer interviews, lesson observations, multiple intelligence inventory, and student focus groups discussions. The study adapted the thematic approach of data analysis where the data were analysed and presented under themes derived from the research questions of the study. The findings indicate that, there was a limited stock of assessments that suits the classification of alternative assessment, namely: checklists, student-lecturer question techniques, and academic essay. The findings reveal some factors that influence the integration of alternative assessment in academic writing instruction, such as: lecturers and students’ knowledge of assessment, students’ assessment preferences, authenticity, classroom setup, and feedback. The findings also showed that the assessment practices that were used by the lecturers did not seem to fulfil the ideologies advocated in Gardener’s (1984) theory of Multiple Intelligences. However, the study found that the students and lecturers’ attitude which was skewed towards the positive direction may be an indication that there could be hope for success in attempts to integrate alternative assessment in academic writing instruction.
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.
Bericut uber die XI. internationale Deutschlehrertagung (IDT) in Amsterdam
(DUSA, 1997) Zappen-Thomson, Marianne
""' ·1. hi􀄲 zum 9. August 1997 fand in Amsterdam die XI. Internationale l..'cutschlehrertagung (IDn statt, zu der etwa I 500 Teilnehmer angem!! ldet waren. Die Tagung stand diesmal unter dem Motto "Deutsch in Emopa und in der Welt: Chancen und Initiativen". J•lt' Jl) r hat schon eine lange Geschichte. So wurde vor 30 Jahren in r-.1 i.inchcn die I. Internationale Deutschlehrertagung von der FIPLV 11 edeu1tion lnternationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantcs) zusam- 1'1'.:11 111it dem Goethe-lnstitut veranstaltet. Da reges Interesse am Fach I ;uLc;ch hestand, etwa 850 Teilnehmer besuchten die Tagung, wagte das r IPL \-I omitee den Schritt zur Grilndung des IDV (lnternationaler IJeutschlehrerverband), der 1968 in Zagreb ins Leben gerufen wurde. In- 1\-lischen gehoren dem IDV - mit den in Amsterdam aufgenommenen nl!ucn Vcrbanden - uber 90 Mitgliedsverbande aus mehr als 60 Landern tn. lnteiessant ist in diesem Zusammenhang der Hinweis von Claus Orth 'IQ97 .ll. langjahriges Vorstandsmitglied, dal3 "iiber 40% der IDV-Mitpli;: d􀇶verhande auBerhalb Europas beheimatet sind und daB deren Mitglie. t.·•7ahl iibcr 40% der mehr als 50 000 im IDV organisierten Deutsch' ··luer betriigt".
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.

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