Semantics and Contextual Meanings in Traditional Ndebele Communities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study examined the impact of semantics and its contextual meanings in traditional Ndebele communities in Zimbabwe. The focus of the study was on the linguistic development by classifying and examining changes in meaning of words due to their use, immediate contexts and inflection. The study adopted a qualitative approach while participants were purposively selected. Gathering techniques employed in collecting data from selected participants were interviews and observations. The analysis and discussions were derived from the contextual meanings and on how they change in relation to their immediate contexts. The study also examined semantic challenges encountered in the sphere of linguistics. Thus, through cultural education, learners and community members were enlightened on the contextual meanings resulting from critical interpretation of the words. Findings revealed that the study of semantics in linguistics is inevitable as long as IsiNdebele is taught as subject in schools and used for communication purposes in society. Also highlighted was that lack of understanding meanings in relation to their contexts results in distortion, misinterpretation and misrepresentation of issues which consequently yields to poor examination performance. From a cognitive perspective, this research emphasised that semantics is a crucial phenomenon in linguistics affirming that meanings are contextually determined rather than absolute. Therefore, it is recommended that a pragmatic approach be adopted, one that explores the relationship between language and context, and how meaning is created and negotiated in social interactions.