Analysis of the language techniques and thematic - University of the ...

ABSTRACT
ANALYSIS OF THE LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES AND THEMATIC ASPECTS
OF THE BASOTHO ACCORDION MUSIC
L.S. Phafoli
Ph.D Thesis, Department of African Languages, University of the Free State
Informed by the functionalist perspective, the study analyzes the Basotho accordion
music over the period 1980 – 2005. Of particular importance are the various themes
addressed by the verbal text that comes up in the music. Specifically, the study analyzes
the language used in the composition of the songs accompanying the Basotho accordion
music; the rationale behind the use of such language. The study also looks at the status of
the composers or artists of the music as well as the role of their music among Basotho;
and last, it looks at the reception of the Basotho accordion music by Basotho.
In order to address the above purposes of the study, the qualitative method was used to
interpret the songs. The population of the study was all the Basotho artists, radio
presenters of the music, shop owners selling the music, street vendors and the public that
listens to the music and buys it. A stratified random sampling method was used to select
with the subjects of the study. A total of 100 songs were analyzed while 81 subjects were
interviewed for this study.
The findings of the study on the issues investigated are that, Basotho accordion music
promotes or helps in the aesthetics of the Sesotho language; that it is a reservoir of rich
language. The recurring themes in the music range from social, political and economic
issues. The music forges patriotism among Basotho by promoting customs, norms and
values of the nation. In terms of status, the artists are either illiterate or semi-literate and
the music is their main means of livelihood. On the whole, most Basotho are receptive to
Basotho accordion music in many different ways.
The study concludes that Basotho accordion music is part of the oral traditional music of
Basotho since it retains some features of oral traditional music. Accordion music is very
rich in a variety of linguistic techniques common in oral traditions of Basotho. The music
also reflects the lifestyle of Basotho because of its historicity and coverage of concerns of
the nation.
December 2009
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