A descriptive analysis of the Tshimanda dialect : A linguistic approach

Abstract

This mini-dissertation describess the phonological structure of Tshimanḓa dialect, comparing it with the standard Tshivenḓa. The study shows the historical background of Tshimanḓa dialect and also points out that Tshimanda is a dialect spoken by Vhalaudzi of Lwamondo, Gwamasenga, Tshimbupfe and Luonde in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study has revealed two aspects which characterise Tshimanda dialect. Tshimanda dialect is characterized by the omission of two speech sounds, namely, ‘l’ and ‘w’. In some instances the omission of the speech sound ‘l’ in Tshimanda dialect gives a word a different meaning than the one in standard Tshivenda.