https://hdl.handle.net/10646/80 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:26:11 GMT 2026-04-09T21:26:11Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/644 Title: Forms And Functions Of Questions In The Speech Of A 28- Month -0ld Monolingual Shona Speaker. Authors: Chapanga, Evans Abstract: This paper analyses the forms and functions of Yes/No and Wh-questions produced by a 28-month-old child acquiring Shona as a first language (L1). Elicitation of data which spanned over a period of four weeks called for fine the fine tuning of the researcher’s ear, creating a reason to talk on the part of the child, transcribing and interpreting data. Regarding form, with the exception of one form which had asi in preposed position, Yes/No questions were marked either suprasegmentally or by postposed here. Wh-question formatives, -i,-ei,-pi and ani were observed as the child’s typical postposed question forms. In addition, –ko, a postposed form which emphasizes that a question has been asked was observed. Evidence from the data gathered suggests that on verbal elements, preposed positions are relatively weaker than postposed ones. In terms of functions, Yes/No questions asked for agreement or disagreement with the addressee and requests for permission to perform an action. Wh-questions were generally asked for information on identity, location or ownership of an object, event, situation or action, although a few Wh-questions demanded reasons. Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/644 2006-05-30T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/643 Title: Coercive Discourse Patterns in President George Bush’s 2001 and 2005 Inaugural Addresses. Authors: Chapanga, Evans; Choto, Isaac Abstract: This paper investigates coercive strategies employed by President Bush in his 2001 and 2005 inaugural addresses. The study is situated in the broad field of discourse analysis whose main thrust is to investigate the use of language in naturally occurring connected speech or written texts. In carrying out the study, the researchers used the qualitative research method where the two inaugural addresses have been used as primary sources. These sources are subjected to critical scrutiny with the intention of establishing the strategies employed by the President to rally the American audience and international community towards his vision. The study has revealed that the President employs a multiplicity of coercive discourse patterns in his quest to garner popular support for his policies, and legitimacy in their implementation. The use of binaries, collective pronouns and lexical reiteration are some of the key weapons unleashed on the audience. Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/643 2006-06-28T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/512 Title: An Analysis of the War Metaphors Used in Spoken Commentaries of the 2004 Edition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Matches in Zimbabwe Authors: Chapanga, Evans Abstract: Soccer commentaries on television are characterised by metaphor-carrying language and expression. After introducing the Interactionist Theory of Metaphor and the classic Cognitive Metaphor Theory, this article analyses how soccer commentators make use of war metaphor when describing live soccer matches. Based on a qualitative analysis of spoken commentary during the 2004 edition of Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches in Zimbabwe, the article proceeds to establish the kind of war metaphors that are typically used in live Zimbabwean broadcasts of soccer matches in English, and how certain metaphors interact with each other within the commentary. The analysis is grounded in the theoretical framework suggested by Ghaddessy’s Component Model (1988). The study argues that the players, their emotions, their character traits, actions on the pitch, the spectator’s behaviour and the description of results translate into a war scenario as a result of the commentator’s use of metaphor. Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/512 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/510 Title: Split Intransitivity in Kalanga Authors: Kangira, Jairos Abstract: This paper examines the intransitive verb class in Kalanga, a minority language predominantly spoken in the southwestern parts of Zimbabwe. The paper focuses on split intransitivity, a linguistic concept that describes the division of intransitive verbs into two subclasses — unaccusative verbs and unergative verbs. Split intransitivity, also known as unaccusativity, was first formulated by Perlmutter (1978) under what he termed the Unaccusative Hypothesis (UH). According to the Relational Grammar (RG) framework within which split intransitivity was first investigated, the single Noun Phrase (NP) of an unaccusative verb patterns like an object of a transitive verb while the single NP of an unergative verb patterns like the subject of a transitive verb. This study tries three tests for split intransitivity in Kalanga, namely the -ik-, -is- and –il- verbal extensions. Some sentences which use the three verbal extensions were selected from a large corpus of Kalanga data and analysed. Kalanga speaking research assistants provided other sentences which they constructed using the three verbal extensions. The results of the study show that verbs that take the –ik- and the –il- verbal extensions are unergative. To a large extent, unaccusative verbs do not take the two verbal extensions. It is also demonstrated that the causative extension –is- is an unreliable test for intransitivity in Kalanga since it produces grammatical sentences when used with both kinds of intransitive verbs, including with transitive verbs. Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/510 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z