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Pragmatics of letter writing in Setswana

Bagwasi, M.M. (Elsevier http://www.elsevier.com, NaN, 2008)

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Abstract:

Using a corpus of about 200 letters written during the time that Botswana was a British protectorate (1885–1966) by and to the British administrators on one hand, and letters written to and by Batswana (natives of Botswana) on the other hand, this paper explores the main differences and similarities between letter writing by Batswana and by the British. The study found that in the letters written by the British there is directness in presenting the point, very little stylistic ornamentation, and emphasis on information or content of the letters. The letters are more formal with shorter salutations and signatures. Letters written by Batswana on the other hand reveal that the conventions of letter writing in Setswana require greetings and an employment of address forms that convey respect and politeness in the Setswana culture. Letters written by Botswana thus have longer introductions and salutations which involve greetings and best wishes.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/731

Files in this item: 1

Bagwasi_JP_2008.pdf (1.100Mb)

The reading behavior of junior secondary students during school holidays in Botswana

Arua, E.A.; Arua, C.E. (International Reading Association, www.reading.org/, NaN, 2011)

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Abstract:

Reports of the poor reading culture of Batswana appear periodically in the popular media, especially the newspapers (see Baputaki, 2006; Hosia, 2007; Seboni & Swartland, 2009). These impressionistic reports speak of an alarming deterioration in the culture of reading in Botswana. In the sense in which it is employed, “poor reading culture” means lack of a reading habit among children, adolescents, and adults, both educated and illiterate. The label thus encompasses complete illiteracy, functional illiteracy, and aliteracy (Sisulu, 2004). Without supporting evidence, the poor reading culture label is difficult to justify for any population group in Botswana. Consequently, we, in this article, investigate the holiday reading behavior of some junior secondary school students in the country to ascertain the extent to which the label applies to them.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1014

Files in this item: 1

Arua_JAAL_2011.pdf (963.1Kb)

The relationship between proficiency and self-efficacy beliefs of the University of Botswana students learning ESL

Magogwe, J.M. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 2006)

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Abstract:	This article is about the relationship between proficiency, gender and self-efficacy beliefs. It further says that self-efficacy beliefs are important in learning and have been found to influence learning meanwhile Univesity of Botswana first year students have been found to perform badly in English language learning.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10311/871

Files in this item: 1

Magogwe_MJLL_2006.pdf (1.989Mb)

A study of students' metalinguistic competence and its probable effect in the Cambridge School Certificate Final Examinations

Mhundwa, P.H. (Marang: Journal of Language and Literature, http://www.ajol.info/index.php/marang, NaN, 2010)

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Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which students' understanding of key words in examination questions might influence their performance as illustrated by the number of subjects in which they obtain pass grdades in the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate Examination (COSCE). The term used to refer to key words in this study is metalinguistic. It is a term that means more than what Kemp (2006, p.1) refers to words or phrases that re used to describe language as an object of study. Procedurelly, questions were designed to assess students' understanding of metalinguistic terms. The percentage scores of the metalinguistic tests were calculated and then compared with the number of 'O' level passes obtained by students to determine whether high scores in the metalanguage tests were comparable to the number of 'O' level passes obtained by the reserch subjects. It was discovered that high metalinguistic test scores were asssociated with greater 'O' level passes and low scores, with fewer 'O'level passes.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1045

Files in this item: 1

Mhundwa_MJLL_2010.pdf (2.551Mb)

Styles and levels of acting in Zimbabwean traditional performances

Omoregie, F-K. (University of Botswana, Department of English, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 2008)

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Abstract:

In this paper, I intend to support Schechner's (1988:197) argument that "to be in trance is not to be out of control", and that in trance or possession the performer does exhibit elements of acting. Schechner mentions that two processes are indentifiable in performance: the performer is either "subtracted" in a performance closely resembling the art of the shaman who acts in ecstasy or what Jerzy Grotowski calls the "holy actor", or the performer is "added to" or "doubled", according to Antonin Artaud, in the process of performing. This "doubled" actor is considered to be in trance, something Schechner likens to Constantin Stanislavski's "character actor". In defining these two phenomena and other forms of acting, my intention in this paper is to prove that the whole of Africa is a gold mine of artistic performances. I intend to prove this by analyzing the acting styles and levels in Zimbabwean traditional performances. In traditional Zimbabwean performances, acting is realized in different social functions and contexts. In the contexts of this paper, acting means to feign, to simulate, to represent, to impersonate. (E.T. Kirby 1972 3) Defining acting and instances where acting is realized. Secondly, I will show how Zimbabwean societies use these define/identified qualities in different contexts. Thirdly, I will judge the levels of acting regarding their seriousness, commitment and functions. To achieve these aims, I will analyze four categories of performances, storytelling, childrens's make-believe, rituals and ceremonies.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/861

Files in this item: 1

Omoregie_MJLL_2008.pdf (4.909Mb)

Voicing the text: South African oral poetry and performance

Pongweni, A. (Routledge (Taylor and francis), www.routledge.com, NaN, 2000)

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Abstract:	This article is about how communities living within the same borders and planet view each other and is mainly concerned about Southern Africa. The article goes further to say social groups are partly defined by our stories, our myths about where we came from and by our other forms of oral literature such as proverbs, riddles, metaphors and similes.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10311/930

Files in this item: 1

Pongweni_CA_2000.pdf (5.350Mb)

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