Browsing by Author "Smit, Mathilda"

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    A grammatical analysis of the spontaneous language use of schizophrenic versus normal L2 speakers of English
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009-12) Smit, Mathilda; Conradie, S.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of General Linguistics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is well-known that there is an important relationship between language and schizophrenia, given that many of the primary symptoms of schizophrenia are language related (Cutting 1985; Wróbel 1990; Sadock & Sadock 2003; Paradis 2008). Furthermore, research has shown that certain schizophrenic bilinguals exhibit different symptoms in their first language (L1) than in their second language (L2) (De Zulueta 1984; De Zulueta, Gene-Cos & Grachev 2001; Paradis 2008; Southwood, Schoeman & Emsley 2009). This thesis investigates the L2 use of schizophrenic bilinguals to determine whether there are significant differences between the types and frequency of errors made in spontaneous L2 use by schizophrenic versus normal (i.e. non-schizophrenic) bilinguals. Four schizophrenic bilinguals and four normal bilinguals (the control group) participated in this study. The controls were matched to the schizophrenics in terms of age, gender, level of education, L1 (Afrikaans) and L2 (English). Informal, thirty minute interviews were conducted with each of the eight participants, recorded on video (for the schizophrenics) or audio tape (for the controls) and carefully transcribed. Each participant's speech sample was then analyzed grammatically by means of Morice & Ingram's (1982) assessment tool. This analysis involved determining the complexity of utterances (with reference to mean length of utterance, lexical density, and number of sentence-initial and sentence-medial conjunctions) and identifying phonological, morphological, lexical, syntactic and semantic errors. In this way a language profile was created for each participant and the differences between the two groups (schizophrenics and controls) were tested for statistical significance. On the basis of the results of these statistical tests, it is argued that the locus of differences between schizophrenic and normal L2 use is semantics, rather than any of the other aspects of grammar. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the main findings of the study, some criticisms of the assessment tool and suggestions for future research in this field.
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    Poesie op die podium : ’n ondersoek na die sosiale rol en betrokkenheid van performatiewe kultuurvorme, met spesifieke verwysing na Afrikaanse gedigte en lirieke
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Smit, Mathilda; Foster, P. H.; Buelens, G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this dissertation, “Poësie op die podium: ’n Ondersoek na die sosiale rol en betrokkenheid van performatiewe kultuurvorme, met spesifieke verwysing na Afrikaanse gedigte en lirieke” (Poetry on the podium: an investigation into the social role and engagement of performative cultural forms, with specific reference to Afrikaans poems and lyrics), I analyze performance poetry and all its manifestations in the cultural and literary system of Afrikaans. The history of performance poetry as original oral poetry is explained and then with a telescopic view I provide an overview of the American, Dutch, African and South African influences on the Afrikaans system. Different subcategories of “podium poetry” (podiumpoësie) in the Afrikaans system are identified and examples of each one is provided. Firstly my aim is to determine what the Afrikaans cultural and literary system, concerning performance poetry, consists of. Secondly I focus on the social role that this cultural form plays in society as a whole. I identified certain themes that are present in the manifestations of podiumpoësie in Afrikaans and tried to determine whether the socio-political commentary present in the examples can be viewed as engaged. Regarding theoretical support, I mostly relied on theories concerned with performance and performativity. As this study provides a broad overview of multiple systems, the polysystem theory introduced by Even-Zohar (1990) is used as theoretical background. I also used the model of approaches to literary theory by Abrams (1953) to organise the rest of the theories in this study. All the relevant elements (the artwork, the artist, the public and the reality it reflects) are present in podiumpoësie. The element of the artwork itself is supported by the theory of New Criticism, whereas the element of the performance artist is supported by performativity. Theories regarding the reception of artwork are used to look at the audience and their role in performance poetry and lastly, the universe or reality that is reflected in performance poetry is supported by using theories of engaged literature. My study provides an approach to performance poetry that relates specifically to the Afrikaans cultural and literary system. It seeks to firstly give a broad telescopic overview on what the system regarding this cultural product is, and secondly to zoom in microscopically on the Afrikaans system in order to determine the social role present in podiumpoësie.