This research paper evaluates the phonological properties of South African English (SAE) through the analysis of the major contact languages that have influenced it in order to establish how it...Show moreThis research paper evaluates the phonological properties of South African English (SAE) through the analysis of the major contact languages that have influenced it in order to establish how it differs from Standard British English, also known as Received Pronunciation (RP). The aspects of the language variety that are investigated include the accent and its fragmentation and dialectology across various groups. The paper will analyse several vowels and how these are articulated in SAE as well as their evolution in the main regional settings of the country. The main English dialects of the Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng have been assessed to determine how SAE is employed in various contexts. The paper also goes into detail about the origins of the language variety and determines the structure of its vocabulary, which has undergone the most significant changes over time. This section delves into uniquely South African lexical items and words. It also looks at the topic areas where one can clearly see substratum influences or borrowing from the landscape, culinary influences, politically engineered language as well as ethnic and cultural remnants which have made their way into SAE’s idiosyncratic vocabulary. The research would not be complete without touching on the evolving linguistic attitudes towards English during an important transitional phase for the citizens of this country in which language plays a pivotal role. There is much debate at present about the role of English in the modern South Africa and the extent to which it should dictate the course of education in the country.Show less
Linguistics is the field of study that is concerned with language. This field includes the study of syntax, grammar, phonology, morphology and more. Morphology and syntax are the two main...Show moreLinguistics is the field of study that is concerned with language. This field includes the study of syntax, grammar, phonology, morphology and more. Morphology and syntax are the two main linguistic fields that this thesis is concerned with. Morphology is the subfield of linguistics that is concerned with words and their structure. Compounding is a process that unites two lexemes to create a new, unique lexeme. Within this field of study, linguists such as Bauer and Giegerich have concerned themselves with the compounding process. One important question that has not received an answer to this day is whether Noun + Noun constructions are created through the morphological process called compounding or whether they are created in the syntax and therefore are noun phrases consisting of a head and a nominal modifier. This debate has split the linguistic community into two factions.Show less
