A linguistic study of reduplication in Sesotho
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Date
2013
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The concept of reduplication has attracted interest from many linguists in recent
years. This is because reduplication is an important phenomenon in languages.
Although some linguists have tried to look at reduplication in Sesotho, its role
and function in this language has been neglected. This paper looks at the usage of
reduplication and its role in the enrichment of Sesotho. The paper reveals that
Sesotho makes use of partial and complete reduplication with various functions
such as: showing plurality, emphasis, diminutives, echoic expressions,
completeness, originality, intensity, frequency, among others. Another interesting
fact in this paper is that Sesotho, like English (Ghomeshi et al., 2004, p. 308)
has contrastive reduplication where some speakers use it to contrast one concept
from others. In addition, the paper reveals that reduplication in Sesotho
can be categorized into prototypical meaning, literal meaning, intensifi ed
meaning and value-added meaning.
Description
Keywords
Reduplication, Sesotho
Citation
Ekanjume-Ilongo, B. (2013). A linguistic study of reduplication in Sesotho. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(2): 27-34.