An overview of Xitsonga reduplication constructions

Abstract

Word-formation processes leading to abbreviations such as clipping, blending and acronyms occur only partially, or do not occur at all, in Xitsonga. In constrast, one of the most productive word-formation processes in Xitsonga is reduplication. Several studies have been conducted in various languages on reduplication. However, in Xitsonga, the process of reduplication has not received much attention. The purpose of this study therefore is to describe how reduplication occurs in Xitsonga in various word categories. The study will focus on different categories of reduplication that exist in Xitsonga as well as the functions of reduplication in the language. The research employs a qualitative research design. The theory that will be used in this study is called morphological doubling theory to link the researcher to existing knowledge. The study found that semantically, reduplication, as a word-formation process in Xitsonga, serves to denote the predicate’s aimlessness, intensity, continuity, or the frequency of actions. But most importantly, it is useful to expand Xitsonga vocabulary.