Indigenous language preservation: A study of the Tshivenḓa speech community in South Africa

Phethani Progress Mudau; Itani Peter Mandende; Maria Mushaathoni

doi:10.36923/jicc.v24i4.969

Open Access Article Intercultural Communication

Phethani Progress Mudau ⁽¹⁾ , Itani Peter Mandende ⁽²⁾ , Maria Mushaathoni ⁽³⁾

1. Department of Applied languages, Faculty of Humanities, Pretoria

2. Department of Applied Languages, Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria

3. Journalism, Integrated Communication, Tshwane University of Technology

https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v24i4.969

Issue
Vol. 24 No. 4 (2024)

Submitted
2024 August 6

Accepted
2024 September 25

Published
2024 October 21

Keywords:

culture, indigenous, forms of address, sociolinguistics, Tshivenḓa

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Abstract

This sociolinguistic study explored the significance of language preservation through the use of indigenous forms of address by the Vhavenḓa in South Africa. Indigenous forms of address are integral to the language and cultural identity of a society. Furthermore, they are indispensable in the preservation of the language and culture of any society. Ignoring the use of these forms of address can lead to language shift or even extinction. This study utilised face-to-face semi-structured interviews to gather and analyse data. The researchers sampled 22 Tshivenḓa L1 participants, 14 youths, and eight elders. The study used the ethnopragmatic theory as its framework. This theory helped the researchers to understand the use of forms of address within the Tshivenḓa cultural scripts, such as cultural norms and values. The findings revealed that using forms of address is pivotal in preserving the Tshivenḓa language. The language will be preserved if lexical items, such as aa, nndaa, and mboloma, are used for greeting. The Vhavenḓa speech community is found in the Limpopo Province in South Africa; the term “Vhavenḓa” refers to people who speak Tshivenḓa, while Tshivenḓa refers to the language and culture of these people. The study recommends that Indigenous Tshivenḓa forms of address should be included in school syllabuses and aired on television and radio programmes. In this way, the Tshivenḓa language can be prevented from shifting or dying, as its disappearance may have dire consequences for its development as a language.

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Authors

Phethani Progress Mudau

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2484-8351

phethaniprogress94@gmail.com (Primary Contact)

Itani Peter Mandende

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2656-0482

Maria Mushaathoni

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7911-4515

Author Biographies

Phethani Progress Mudau

Phethani Progress Mudau is lecturer and currently affiliated with the Department of Applied Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. His research interests are in Sociolinguistics, indigenous forms of address, indigenous knowledge systems, kinship terms, politeness, Cultural and Linguistic studies.

Itani Peter Mandende

Itani Peter Mandende is a Senior lecturer in the Department of Applied Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. His research interests are in Sociolinguistics, Cultural and Linguistic studies, Traditional and Modern literature.

Maria Mushaathoni

Maria Mushaathoni is currently affiliated with the Department of Journalism and Integrated Communication, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. Her research interests are in language, culture, and communication, specifically Communication theory, Intercultural Communication, Organizational communication, communication for specific purposes, social media, and effects of motivation and attitude on language proficiency.

Mudau, P. P., Mandende , I. P., & Mushaathoni, M. (2024). Indigenous language preservation: A study of the Tshivenḓa speech community in South Africa. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 24(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v24i4.969

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