Abstract
This dissertation examines the ways that Setswana speakers in the West Rand express their queer sexuality. Since Queer Linguistic research about Setswana focuses on heterosexuality and emanated from Botswana, this dissertation aims to investigate if self-identifying queer residents from the West Rand converse about queer sexuality in Setswana. Furthermore, this study aims to discover whether or not self-identifying queer Setswana speaking people from the West Rand speak about their queer sexuality, how they converse about it and if they are able to do so without using derogatory terms. Moreover, it aims to determine if there could be a Setswana queer linguistic code that Setswana speaking individuals developed to maintain secrecy of their sexuality.
In order to achieve this, I employed qualitative research methods which involved semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Critical Discourse Analysis, Thematic Analysis and Critical Approaches to Discourse are the analytical methods that were used to analyse discourse critically and identify common themes in the data.
The indings reveal that an intricate relationship between shame and the expression of one’s queer sexuality in Setswana exists. They also show the impact that heteronormativity has on the expression of one’s queer sexuality in Setswana. It can also be seen that historical views on queer sexuality have had a lasting impact on the way that queer sexuality is perceived in the present day, thus affecting the availability or absence of terms in Setswana for the expression of queer sexuality. The study concludes that in order to understand the way that queer sexuality is expressed in Setswana, several cultural; societal; historical and linguistic factors should be taken into consideration. Taking these factors into consideration can provide useful insight into the way that Setswana is used to express queer sexuality. Additionally, directions for future Queer Linguistic research in Setswana can be provided for as well.