Abstract
This paper considers colloquial language in Mqapheli Mngadi’s cartoons. It has been discovered
that Mngadi uses colloquialism in his cartoons and the aim of this paper is to uncover to what merit,
effect, and extent he does this. Since there is generally an observed gap on scholarship when it comes to
cartoons in the indigenous African languages of South Africa, it is believed that this paper will contribute
to scientific knowledge. The study is done through the lens of socio-stylistics. On the other hand, textual
analysis, as a qualitative research technique, is adopted as the study’s research paradigm since cartoons
are primary sources. From the analysis of data (cartoons), it was demonstrated how Mngadi uses different
categories of colloquial words, and these include: word-based derived colloquial words, colloquial loan
words, tsotsitaal, shortened names, and nicknames. It will also be demonstrated how each of these
colloquial words are used stylistically to complement the informal nature of cartoons.