Abstract
M.A. (African Languages)
In spite of the fact that Northern Sotho is reasonably
established as a written language and is used as an
educational medium at schools and universities, there
are still aspects of its grammar that are either incorrectly or incompletely described. Where the relative
construction is concerned, quite a few such insufficiencies exist. This study aims to clarify these problems.
The aim of the study is threefold. First the different
forms of the relative clause as published in existing
works are examined. Second, the nature of constructions
in spoken and written Northern Sotho is tested with
existing conceptions as published and possible variants
charted. Third the 'linguistic implications and the
validity of existing opinions regarding the relative
clause are tested. The possible influences of other
Sotho languages are also taken into consideration...