A case study of some social varieties of Northern Sotho and their impact on the standard variety

Abstract

This dissertation investigates some social varieties of Northern Sotho spoken in Makhutswe.Traditionally, these varieties have not been recognised because researchers have focussed mainly on linguistic differences which characterise the so called Northern Sotho 'dialects'.Most of these dialects are mutually intelligible and they occur within identifiable regional boundaries.They are also mutually intelligible to speakers of the standard form known as Northern Sotho.In this dissertation, it is argued that the term 'dialect' is far too restricted to account for the various spoken forms which characterise the Northern Sotho language.In order to address this, the term 'language variety' is introduced to deal with the shortcomings of the traditional approach to language differences.A detailed discussion of social varieties occurring in Makhutswe is presented.These varieties can be categorised as 'closed social varieties' or 'open social varieties'.The closed social varieties are secret in nature and examples of these include Bodika, Bogwera and Bjale.The 'open social varieties' are overt in nature and examples of such varieties are Mawa a ditaola and Malopo.

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