Masters Degrees (Afrikaans and Dutch)

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Die balans tussen die ekspressiewe en relasionele boodskappe in donasiebriewe van die Universiteit Stellenbosch : ‘n ondersoek na die effek daarvan op beeldvorming
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Van Wyk, Anica; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study the balance between relational and expressive messages on the image formation and projection of a document is studied. To study the effect of these messages, a case study was done on one of the donation letters of Stellenbosch University (SU). The purpose of the research was firstly to established what the image formation and projection of the SU was. The quality of the SU’s image and communication had to be determined. Secondly, the degree of attachment between die SU and respondents was measured to see if it had any influence on the way that they perceived the SU. The IFP-model (Image Formation and Projection model) served as a theoretical basis for the study – the model postulates that various document design aspects and concepts such as image, identitity and culture influence each other. The model was then used to a) identify problematic areas in the documentation b) form the basis of the questionnaire and c) explain the connection between the image formation and projection, and the style aspects in die document. The third goal of the research was to operationalize the relational and expressive messages by manipulating specific style aspects. The researcher had determined that the two messages were imbalanced in the original donation letter, to the extent that the reader did not have any real ‘presence’ in the document. The researcher then proceeded to design a second version of the donation letter, but with the relational and expressive messages brought into balance. Alumni of the SU were chosen as respondents for the study. The Stellenbosch Foundation distributed the questionnaires, along with the two versions of the letter. The researcher had decided upon e-mail as a distribution channel to discount any geographical bias. Two variables were used: Race (coloured and white persons) and age. Younger than 35 years of age, and 35 years of age or older than 35 were chosen as arbitrary cutoff points for respondents. The results were processed statistically so that trends and data could be displayed clearly. Results showed that alumni do have a positive image of the SU, as well as its communication. Alumni also feel reasonably connected to the SU. A strong preference was however shown for the redesigned donation letter, wherein the two messages are balanced out. This means that the SU’s image is projected in a more positive way in a document where the reader has a bigger presence.
The effect of iteratively applying plain language techniques in forms and their terms and conditions
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Burger, Johanna Maria; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis wanted to answer the research question: Does iteratively applying plain language techniques in Glacier’s New Investment Plan form have an effect on understanding, usability and experience of the form and its terms and conditions? Since the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) of 2008 specifies that it is required to use plain language in public documents, many organisations have to redesign their documents using plain language techniques. When writing in plain language, companies will do it very conservatively, making only superficial changes. This is especially true of the terms and conditions sections of documents. The case study in this thesis, the New Investment Plan form, had previously been redesigned using plain language techniques. Testing of the form showed that the second, plain language version was not as successful as it could be, and that there was still room for improvement. In this thesis a checklist for the design of a plain language form was developed. The first and second versions of the form were then analysed using textfocused (a functional text analysis) and expert-focused approaches (an interview with a document designer and an interview with a legal expert). The second version was then tested with a reader-focused approach (usability testing, the plus-minus method, a questionnaire and an interview with respondents). The twenty respondents used in the reader-focused approach were above 35 with a tertiary education. Since the case study is a form used to gather information on investment plans, these are in most cases the characteristics of investors. The text-focused, expert-focused and readerfocused approaches established the ten main problems in the second version of the form. The form was then redesigned with the help of the checklist, taking these problems into consideration. The redesigned third version was then also tested using the same usability testing and questionnaire to test the second version, but with twenty new respondents. The two sets of data gathered from the second and third versions of the form were compared with each other with regard to understanding, usability and respondents’ experience. The second and third versions were also compared with the analysis of the first version. The comparison showed that the first version of the form had many problems. The second version solved many of these problems by using plain language techniques. Despite this, the second version still had problems with regard to usability, understanding and respondents’ experience. The third version had marginally less of these problems. This is also true of the terms and conditions section in the third version. These results illustrate that successfully using plain language techniques is an iterative process of testing and applying. The usability testing of the third version of the form, however, showed that the third version could still be improved. Future studies could further the testing and applying of plain language techniques in this case study to see if it could eventually result in a usable form.
Gebruik van die geïntegreerde kommunikasiemodel vir beeldvorming en –projeksie in die bepaling van die beelduitstraling van Helen Zille : die bekendstelling van ’n verfynde model vir die analise van ekspressiewe en relasionele boodskappe
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009-03) Vermaak, Mariska; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
This study focused on the image formation and projection of Helen Zille, leader of South Africa’s largest opposition party. South Africans are heading to voting stations in 2009 for the national and provincial election. For this reason the image a party portrays in all the methods it uses to attract voters needs to be perfect. Such methods include voting-posters, public debates and newsletters. This study focuses on the newsletters that Helen Zille writes every week and takes the form of a corpus analises. The study also shows the importance of the documentation from the leader of any institution. Such reasons include that the leader is the most identifiable person thereof. This study was undertaken within the framework of the Integrated Communication Model for Image formation and projection (IFP-model) developed by Professor Leon de Stadler. The model consists of three levels, namely the image, the information design and the document design. Each of these levels focuses on specific phases of image formation and projection. Image focuses on the intended (the desired image the institution want to construe) and the construed (the image the reader derives from the documentation) image. The information design involves the manner in which the reader accesses the text. There are three ways, which are the physical access (that which the reader sees first), the intellectual access (the way in which the information is interpreted) and the emotional access (how the reader feels about the content). The document design focuses on the four messages which appear in the text. They are the referential (the content), the appealing (the objectives), the expressive (the image of the sender) and the relational (the relationship between the reader and the sender) messages. This study focuses on the expressive and relational messages. Other questions mentioned in this study are whether the IFP-model kan be used as an analytical instrument and if this model kan be refined to place more emphasis on the expressive and relational messages. After the expressive and relational messages where identified, various tendencies where noticed in the content, style, structure and graphics thereof. These tendencies include a positive focus in the content, an informal style, high information density and the use of photographs as graphics. These tendencies where used to refine the IFP-model. The analises of the newsletters indicated that Helen Zille portrayed an image of a self-assured leader, but that this image was influenced by tendencies such as a negative focus on the ANC. Further findings showed that the IFPmodel can be used as an analytical instrument, but that more emphasis should be placed on refining the model so that it includes various aspects of the different levels, such as the different ways a reader gains access in the information design. This study also introduced a refined model which can be used to analyze the expressive and relation messages.
'n Houdingsondersoek na die taalbeleid en taalplan van die Universiteit Stellenbosch : die houdings van derdejaarstudente en dosente
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Swart, Christel; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study researches the extent to which the attitudes of third year students and lecturers toward the Stellenbosch University (SU) language policy changed since the previous attitude studies were conducted – with specific reference to the Leibowitz-study (2006). To demonstrate this an empirical study was done in 2015, with both qualitative and quantitative data, among third year students and lecturers in five faculties of the SU. Attitudes toward language and language policy, which could also determine behaviour related to the policy – as was seen at various instances in the history of South Africa – is an important aspect of the successful implementation of a language policy. When attitudes toward a specific policy is negative, it could potentially influence how the policy is accepted as well as the willingness to apply the policy in question. Attitudes, however, are not static, which is why it is of importance to conduct research on this matter on a regular basis and to test these attitudes, as it can change in accordance with the changing context in which the policy is implemented. When revising a language policy these changing attitudes should be kept in mind. Among other things, the contextualisation of the SU language policy (both the contemporary and historical contexts) pointed out that the circumstances in which the SU language policy is applied, changed – especially over the past decade. This would necessarily have led to changing attitudes toward the Language Policy, but also toward Afrikaans as an important issue in the SU language debate. From the results of the survey it is evident that attitudes regarding Afrikaans have changed since the previous studies. Other important attitude shifts were also noted from the empirical results, including attitudes regarding the importance of the languages in question (Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa), the role of multilingualism, attitudes regarding the importance of English, the language preferences of students and lecturers, the use of more than one language in class rooms, as well as attitudes toward different language options and the implementation of the Language Policy within the specific faculties.
Die impak van die gebruik van "burokratees" op 'n instansie se beeld - 'n gevallestudie
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Sloet, Amor; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of bureaucratese in government institutions‟ external communication and the effect that it has on the institution‟s image. Furthermore the impact that this communication has on the institution‟s relationship with it‟s audience should also be explored and the notion that it creates a power distance relationship should be examined. Firstly the Communication Model for Image Formation and Projection (De Stadler, s.a.1) is discussed to explain the connection between communication and institutional image. Then relevant concepts, for example, image, communication, bureaucratese and power distance are explained. Secondly, bureaucratese is explained as a register and is then divided into it‟s different aspects. These aspects relate to style choices as informed by the literature on the Plain Language Movement. This set of aspects or dimensions then creates the criteria for the analysis of 16 texts. This study does not only use qualitative data, but also quantitative data and therefore a questionaire was sent out to 80 respondents. The purpose of the questionaire was to retrieve data that couldn‟t be obtained from the qualitative data. These aspects were the image of the institution and also the relationship between the institution and it‟s audience. The results show that bureacratese does have a negative impact on an institution‟s image. It also shows that the use of burocratic language creates a power distance relationship between an institution and it‟s audience. Language (in this case burocratic language) becomes an instrument through which the culture of an institutions is transferred from inside the institution onto it‟s audience.
Die institusionele beeld en die impak daarvan op die kommunikasie binne die Universiteit van Stellenbosch
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007-03) Pienaar, Marguerite; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
In this study, research has been done on the institutional image of the Stellenbosch University (SU). The impact of the true and desired image on the written communication of the SU has been researched to determine how much influence the US can have on the forming of the institutional image and how it can be improved to correlate more with the desired image of the SU. The focus was, more specifically, on the written communication of the Registrar’s division of the SU and their institutional documents. The institutional image was tested by means of questionnaires filled in by the students of the SU. The groups have been selected in accordance with the population profile of the SU to be statistically representitave of the true population studying at the SU.
Die invloed van die Universiteit Stellenbosch se jaarboeke op die beeld van die Universiteit
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Gous, Chantelle; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study the focus is on the yearbooks of the Stellenbosch University with spesific reference to the consumer friendliness thereof. The researcher focused on the General Yearbook as well as an extract from the Humanities Yearbook of the Stellenbosch University. The goals of this study is to firstly determine (a) what is the present image that prospective students have of the Stellenbosch University, (b) if the SU Yearbooks have any impact on the image formation of these prospective students and (c) if so, what is the exact impact of the yearbooks on the image formation process of these students and how can it be improved. There are five important factors that measure the consumer friendliness of a document. These factors refer to the physical access to a document, the external structure, the ergonomy of a document, the style of writing and the cognitive access (understanding) of the text. These factors are closely tied to each other, but for the sake of this study, the researcher decided to focus only on the factors that directly influence the consumer friendliness of a document. The researcher decided on four stylistic aspects that influence the consumer friendliness of a document. These refer, firstly, to the external structure of a document with specific reference to the margins, headings and paragraphs in the chosen document. Secondly, the focus is on the information distribution of the document, i.e. the organisation and representation of information. The third aspect refers to forms of address in the document including both references to the writer as well as to the reader. The last aspect that is researched in this study is the style concept of formality. The researcher primarily focuses on difficult words and phrases in the text as well as the use of passive and active sentence constructions. The researcher also tests the concept of consumer-friendliness with a usability test based on an extract taken out of the Yearbook of Humanities. The researcher’s hypothesis claimes that the yearbooks of the Stellenbosch University are not consumer-friendly and that this can have a negative influence on the image that the prospective student forms of the SU. By determining this perception under the prospective students in the study, the researcher could find a suitable solution from the results to improve the image that the current documentation reflects and also to help the yearbooks of the SU fulfill its purpose which is to serve as an accessible information guide that is consumer-friendly. The Integrated Model for Formation and Projection, the IFP-model, on which this study is based, determines that different messages in a document can have an effect on the image of an institution. These messages can however be manipulated in order to determine or adjust the image of an institution. 123 respondents from the Paarl Gymnasium High School and Luckhoff High took part in this study. Gender and race were incorporated as independent variables in the study. These respondents’ attitudes were measured by means of questionnaires as the primary methodology. Statistical methods were used in order to determine the results from the questionnaires and to identify certain tendencies from the research. The results show that prospective students show a preference for yearbooks that are more consumer-friendly. As the hypothesis predicted, prospective students have a very positive image of the Stellenbosch University. After the introduction to the yearbooks, these images changed to a more neutral, and even in some cases to a more negative image of the University. By means of testing the different style aspects in this study, the researcher also concluede that the respondents preferred a more people-oriented and consumer-friendly yearbook. The respondents in this study had a definite preference for a yearbook which is more consumer-friendly en that therefore have a more positive influence on the image of the University.
Die invloed van mediaberiggewing op die beeldvormingsprosesse van die NG Kerk : 'n ondersoek na die uitwerking van mediaberigte op lidmate se beeld van die NG Kerk
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Smith, Elna; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study determines whether media reporting has any influence on members’ image formation processes of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). The aim of this study was (a) to determine respondents’ attitudes towards the Church, (b) to determine respondents’ image of the Church, (c) to establish whether media reporting has any influence on members’ image formation of the DRC, and (d) to define such influence, if any. This study is based on the Integrated Communication Model for Image Formation and Projection (the IFP model) as theoretical foundation. The IFP model suggests that certain document design aspects, such as content, style, structure and graphics, may influence a company or organisation’s image. Following on the IFP model this study determined the effect that rhetorical content devices in media reports have on DRC members’ image of the Church. The rhetorical devices that were analysed are direct criticism, contrast, laden words, implication phenomena, sarcasm and insinuation. The study investigated how these rhetorical devices are employed to have a harmful effect on the image of the DRC. A total of 127 respondents, all of them DRC members, were selected from four congregations in the Boland region. The congregations are situated in Worcester (rural), Malmesbury (semi-rural), Paarl (semi-urban) and Durbanville (urban). Gender and age were incorporated as independent variables of this study. Members’ attitude and image with regard to the DRC and media reporting were determined by means of a questionnaire survey as primary methodology, while the possible influence of media reporting was established through a text analysis (rhetorical discourse analysis, or RDA) – another primary methodology. Professor Martin Kidd from Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Statistical Consultation prepared the statistical processing of the survey responses. The results are depicted by means of histograms and other statistical methods. The results show that members’ attitudes towards, and image of, the Church are less positive than what the Church may have hoped for: Members generally have a cautiously positive image of the Church. In addition, results indicate that media reporting does indeed influence the image formation processes of the DRC; that this influence is negative, and that it contributes to a less positive image of the Church.
Die invloed van mensgerigte tekste op institusionele beeld : 'n ondersoek na die invloed van mensgerigtheid op institusionele beeld in vorms
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009-03) Hagan, Wilmarie; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
This study investigates the role of that which the style concept people‐orientation plays with regard to image formation and image projection in documentation, with specific reference to the Stellenbosch University’s registration forms. The goal of this study was firstly to determine how the concept people‐orientation could be operationalized within this specific case study. Regarding image formation and image projection, the researcher aimed to determine (a) what students’ current image of the University Stellenbosch is, (b) if students regard peopleorientation as an important style aspect within communication and (c) if the presence or absence of people‐orientation has an effect on the image of an institution. The Integrated Model for Image Formation and Projection (IFP‐model), whereupon this study is based, suggests that different messages in a document can have an effect on the image of an institution. These messages can however be manipulated in order to determine or adjust the image of an institution. In reference to this, this study investigated the effects of a presence or lack of people‐orientation as an aspect of style in communication. The researcher defines people‐orientation as a concept that bears reference to those aspects which directly or indirectly writes the human role player (including the writer and the reader) into the text. In other words, it refers to communication that puts the role of the person in the foreground of the communication situation. The concept of people‐orientation is however very complex in the sense that it can be created by a number of document design aspects. Thus the best way to test people‐orientation was to identify a number of operationalizeable design aspects. The researcher selected five style aspects which at core has relevance to people‐orientation. These five aspects were forms of address, reference to self, the use of passive or active voice, the use of politeness and empathy markers and the use of graphical illustration, which for the purpose of this study also classifies as a stylistic signal. Thirty‐two respondents from the Humaniora faculties were selected to participate in this study. Although the faculty of Economical and Management Sciences and the Faculty of Law traditionally fall under this division, only the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education were used. Gender and race were incorporated as independent variables of this study. Respondents’ attitudes were tested using interviews as the primary methodology, aided by informal questionnaires as secondary methodology. Questionnaire results were however not processed by use of the traditional statistical methods, mainly because the sample of the study was too small. These results were only functional as a basis from which tendencies could be identified. Interview results had a very multi‐dimensional quality and the researcher therefore decided that it would be best to discuss these results in a thematic order rather than listing responses in tables. The results clearly demonstrate that students have a preference for forms which contain people‐orientation and that they dislike forms which lack people‐orientation. Their responses indicate that style aspects which promote people‐orientation have a relative to high probability to positively effect an institution’s image . Thus, Afrikaans‐speaking students from the Humanioria‐faculties regard people‐orientation as an important component in the management of effective communication, especially that of a positive image.
Die invloed van patriotisme as oorredingsmeganisme in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks : 'n ondersoek na patriotiese advertensies se effektiwiteit onder wit en bruin Suid-Afrikaners
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Jubelius, Jo-Lize; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study patriotism as a persuasive mechanism in persuasive texts was described. The establishment of the construct and the extensive analysis thereof in 20 texts was the primary goal of the study. For the analysis of the phenomenon an analytical model was developed. A pilot study to determine the usefulness of questionnaire methodology for a reader-focused assessment of the effectiveness of these texts was also done. The goal of the pilot study was to determine, among other things, whether readers’ age and population group may in any way play a role in the effectiveness of patriotic advertisements. Since the literature concerning patriotism as a persuasive tool is very limited, patriotism as a persuasive tool was conceptualized by examining two constructs, namely patriotism as political concept and persuasion. After the above conceptualization, a theoretical model for the application of patriotism as a persuasive tool was developed. This theoretical model assumes that patriotism embodies two forms in persuasive texts, namely verbal and non-verbal. The verbal forms of patriotism include content (thematic), word choice and verbal rhetorical devices, while graphic rhetorical devices fall within the non-verbal form. The theoretical model was applied to twenty patriotic advertisements to determine the extent to which patriotism can be used as a persuasive tool. Three of these advertisements were selected for a reader-oriented investigation (which was mainly quantitative through the use of a questionnaire), since only a limited number of respondents completed the comments section in the questionnaire. Respondents from the white and coloured population groups were chosen for the reader-oriented investigation. Their ages were divided into two groups, namely 35 years and younger and 36 years and older. In the three selected advertisements patriotism was utilised in different degrees, namely strikingly positive, subtle and negative. During the reader-oriented investigation respondents' levels of patriotism and their attitudes toward the communication of patriotism were tested before they studied the advertisements. Respondents’ levels of patriotism were again tested after they studied the advertisements. The purpose of this was to determine whether the advertisement had any influence on the respondent's patriotism. Furthermore, the questionnaire tested respondents' degree of persuasion, attention and appreciation toward each advertisement through quantitative research. The results indicate that age and population group do not play a role in respondents' levels of patriotism and communication thereof, but that there were strong differences between population groups regarding the manner in which the advertiser refers to patriotism. One of the main findings was that the coloured population group was not in favour of the negative way that one of the advertisements referred to patriotism, while white respondents’ scores were more or less homogeneous towards all three advertisements.
Die leserspersona in vyf Afrikaanse MIV/vigs-brosjures
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005-12) Baitsewe, Ruth Kelebilemang; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
The question about how the reader persona is realised in HIV/AIDS documents, how readers appreciate this persona, as well as what effect it has on the eventual text appreciation occurred as a direct result of Claatje ter Hoeven’s study, “Auteurs- en lezersrollen in wervende tekste: Drie deelstudies naar personae in Zuid-Afrikaanse bankbrochures” (2002).
Die meetbare effek van ’n elektroniese skryflaboratorium : ’n loodsprojek aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2004-12) Loftie-Eaton, Eloise; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geografiese ligging van enige bepaalde skryflaboratorium maak dit dikwels moeilik vir verafgeleë afstandonderrigstudente om ’n konsultasie te ontvang. ’n Veeleisende klasrooster kan dit vir residensiële studente enersyds problematiseer om ’n nabygeleë skryflaboratorium fisies te besoek vir hulp rakende ’n spesifieke skryfopdrag. Hierdie twee studentegroepe benodig gewoonlik addisionele skryfhulp om die tekskwaliteit van hulle geskrewe tekste te verbeter. In hierdie werkstuk het die navorser gevolglik ondersoek ingestel of ’n elektroniese skryflaboratorium, gegrond op die bestaande World Wide Writing (WWW)-model, ’n statisties beduidende effek gelewer het om studente se skryfvaardighede te verbeter. Die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie loodsprojek is verskaf deur Bereiter en Scardamalia (1987) se tweeledige skryfprosesmodel. Laasgenoemde model het ’n belangrike komponent van die ondersoek gevorm om die ontwikkeling van die hersieningsfase (waarmee ook herskrywing bedoel word) in die skryfproses te illustreer, nadat die proefpersone blootgestel is aan ’n skryfadvies oor paragrafering. Altesaam 67 tweedejaarproefpersone van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch het die opdrag ontvang om verbeterings aan die paragraafstruktuur van hulle oorspronklike teks aan te bring, ná verwysing van die elektroniese skryflaboratorium wat skryfhulp aangebied het in die vorm van web-advies. Hierna het die proefpersone ook ’n vraelys voltooi om hulle houding ten opsigte van die web-advies bloot te lê. ’n Geselekteerde ekspertpaneel het gevolglik die paragraafstruktuur van die tekste geëvalueer en sodoende aangedui of die tekskwaliteit verbeter het of nie. Hierdie resultate is uiteindelik gebruik om die effek te meet wat ’n elektroniese skryflaboratorium uitgeoefen het om die hersieningsfase van die skryfproses te beheer.
Shared mental models as a cultural phenomenon : fact or fiction? Using the card-sorting method to investigate the shared mental models of web users
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Vorster, Lize; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the mental models of the target audience of the FACT web site (official Stellenbosch University HIV/Aids web site) were investigated and compared with the structure of the web site (representing the mental model of the expert). The target audience were divided into six groups representing three different race groups (white, coloured and black) and the two sexes (male and female).
Strategiese linguistiese beleefdheid en institusionele beeld :'n ondersoek na die invloed van beleefdheidstrategieë op institusionele beeld deur gepaarde waarnemings
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007-03) Du Plessis, Philip; De Stadler, L. G.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
In this study, students’ reactions towards linguistic politeness and the lack thereof in letters distributed by Stellenbosch University (SU), is tested. The aim of the research is to determine the answers to mainly two questions: Does letters which lack linguistic politeness influence institutional image negatively? Is linguistic politeness considered a vital component in institutional letters? SU is currently engaged in establishing the institution’s proposed image in letters directed to students. For that reason, male and female students from the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Natural Sciences were chosen as respondents. The pioneers in the field of pragmatic politeness, Penelope Brown and Stephen C. Levinson, identified approximately 40 politeness strategies utilised in social interaction. According to Brown and Levinson, these strategies protect two intrinsic aspects of the human personality: positive face (roughly, the want to be respected by others) and negative face (roughly, the want not to be impeded by others). Consequently, two official letters from SU were tested to establish senior students’ interpretation of the letters’ contribution to face loss. One letter, incorporating no politeness strategies, and a manipulated version comprising appropriate strategies was employed. The research was accomplished by means of pared observations in which fifteen analogous politeness concepts were tested. Senior students responded to comparable questions that assessed the letters’ effect on their positive and negative face. Despite this, the respondents were never fully aware of the fact that their opinion of politeness was tested. The next step entailed the statistical processing of the answers that were ultimately featured on comparable histograms. The results prove that the writer (as a representative of SU) of the letter in which politeness strategies lack, shows no respect for the student (she/the letter generates positive face loss). However, this letter is mainly responsible for negative face loss which means the writer is excessively prescriptive. Interestingly enough, the student respondents were more sensitive towards linguistic politeness in the manipulated text than the lack thereof in the original version. Alternatively, the students are more appreciative towards the institutional letter which employs positive and negative politeness strategies. The results prove the high probability of linguistic politeness promoting institutional image and white, Afrikaans speaking students’ regard for linguistic politeness in institutional letters.
Verstaanbare vorms - 'n lesergerigte ondersoek na die effek van die veranderinge aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch se Afrikaanse voorgraadse aansoekvorm
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12) Esterhuyse, Elana; De Stadler, L. G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to gain more insight with regards to the comprehensibility of the revised Afrikaans undergraduate application form (see Form B in Excerpt 2) of the Stellenbosch University (SU), especially in comparison to the previous version of 2011 (see Form A in Excerpt 1), to be able to guide document designers with designing a better form. Answers to the following question were searched for: Do prospective students regard the revised Form B as more understandable than the previous Form A? The revised form was changed by a team of experts, as requested by the SU, in order to make the form more understandable. There were 140 male and female, white and coloured grade 11 respondents of both Vredendal High and Vredendal Secondary. This study was launched in light of the South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 that took effect on 1 April 2011. In terms of section 22 of this Act, documents must be written in plain and simple language, because consumers have got the right to information that they understand (2008:32). Plain language is practical attitudes about the meaning of good written work, the goal of that and what benefits the reader the most. It is also our intellectual understanding of the way in which people read, the questions readers ask about a document, and readers’ reaction towards various forms of document design (De Stadler, 2012:3). Three parts of the two versions of the SU’s Afrikaans undergraduate form was used, specifically the cover, the program and personal information, and the responsibility of the prospective student. The forms were judged according to its comprehensibility, design and logic order by using a between-group design after respondents had to fill in the parts of the form by using fictional information on an information page. With that, respondents also had to underline words in the form they didn’t understand and fill in a questionnaire. Most of the information was statistically processed. To be able to make comparisons between the forms, a twee-way-variance-analysis was done with alternative form/gender and form/race as independent variables. By using the data collected, it became clear that respondents didn’t like a specific version of the form more than the other version. It also became clear that respondents had huge problems filling in both forms. Even though respondents perceived the form’s comprehensibility, design and logical build-up in the same way, more respondents left out questions in Form B. This, against what we would have anticipated, means that respondents made better sense of Form A. It can even mean that, in contrast to their experience, respondents made more sense of the design and logical build-up of the questions in Form A, compared to the questions in Form B. This result is not a good outcome for the team of experts who made the changes to the revised form. It may be, however, that the SU didn’t allow the team to make enough changes, and because of that the forms are not really perceived as different from one another.

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