The semantic effects of causative verbal extensions on Sesotho verbs and sentences

Abstract

This qualitative study employs the Image Theory of Meaning (ITM) to investigate the effects of the causative verbal extensions on Sesotho verbs and sentences. It aims to unveil the strategies that can be used to overcome these effects. The data in the form of sentences that contain causative verbs used for analysis in this study were derived from both the primary sources and the literary selected linguistic Sesotho texts. The study observes that the effects of the causative verbal extensions include ambiguity in Sesotho verbs and sentences, which leads to communication problems such as misinformation and confusion, resultant in communication breakdown between the speaker and hearer. The current study has also unveiled the possible ways in which the focal effects can be avoided for effective communication among the Sesotho speakers. The study concludes that, context consideration and the avoidance of the use of causative morphemes may bring an end to the linguistic effects caused by the use of the causative morphemes on verbs in Sesotho sentences.