The significance of word formation techniques utilised in Northern Sotho plant names

Abstract

Word formation is a system of rules that can produce new words based on existing lexical items. Word formation strategies are employed by languages to develop their terminology or vocabulary. Although earlier studies have been conducted on Northern Sotho plants, such as reduplication of plant names and traditional medicine uses and methods used to process medicinal plants, the strategies used in the formation of plant names have not been the subject of in-depth study. The present study aims to analyse word formation strategies used in formulating plant names in Northern Sotho. Word formation strategies, such as affixation, compounding, reduplication and semantic extension, are investigated. The research framework is based on the cultural keystone species ethnobotanic theory underpinned by the nomenclature principle used to classify plant names. Plant names data were collected from existing sources, including scholarly books, dissertations, articles and theses, and the data were analysed using a qualitative method. In this study, the researcher found different types of word formation strategies used in forming plant names in Northern Sotho. This study recommends that further study be conducted on word formation techniques used in the naming of plants in Northern Sotho, especially on the relationship between their morphological and semantic structures.

Contribution: The study fills the knowledge gap in the significance of word formation techniques applied to plant names in Northern Sotho. In Northern Sotho plant names in particular, word formation strategies have received relatively little attention. Therefore, to improve Northern Sotho terminology, the study identifies various word formation techniques that need to be examined. The study will give linguists insight into the various word construction techniques that are applied to plant names. Documenting the formation of the plant names contributes to the preservation of linguistic and cultural knowledge for future generations.