An analysis of IsiZulu language in the television drama “Isibaya”: an educators’ functional linguistic and socio-cultural perspectives
Loading...
Date
2022-12-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
This study investigated the use of the isiZulu language in the television drama Isibaya using a functional linguistic and socio-cultural perspective. The target population of this study was all IsiZulu home language educators in all 11 districts of the KZN province. The accessible population included 15 schools in the King Cetshwayo district close to the researcher. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample participants from the accessible population. The sample was made up of 40 further Education and Training (FET) IsiZulu language educators. A qualitative research methodology and a case study research design were adopted by the study. The data collection instruments used were open-ended questionnaires and 10 extracts from video clips of Isibaya Season 7.
The findings from the study revealed that the language used in both polygamous and mononuclear families reveal dominance, power, and gender inequality. Gender inequality and patriarchy are still a characteristic of the Zulu society. The language usage in Isibaya portrays women as individuals who are required to obey the orders of men and give birth to children. Furthermore, the language used by the in-laws suggests that society still views, women as objects in the form of childbearing machines that do not have value in society. On the other hand, polygamy imposes hlonipha (respect) language upon the wives and children. Language of respect (ukuhlonipha) encompasses the entire value system of the social life of the Zulu people. The use of the language of respect in Isibaya has been a source of enrichment to the isiZulu language. The language of respect, however, is more than merely a tradition; it is a spiritual conviction and an essential ingredient in the life philosophy of the Zulu people. Over the past decade, there have been numerous studies regarding patriarchy in television dramas, future studies need to focus on language use in matriarchy in South African television dramas and how it can impact culture.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African Languages and Culture in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2022.