The reflection of language in culture and identity: A case of Basotho in the Free State Province and Lesotho.

Abstract

The research investigates the relationship between language, culture and identity among the Basotho residing in the Free State Province of South Africa and Lesotho. The study attempts to reveal how each of the elements namely; language, culture and identity affect each other and what each means to the speakers of Sesotho. Access to immediate communication, which is enabled by the different social media platforms allows people from different languages, cultures and identities to interact thereby exposing them to different ways of speaking, doing things and presenting themselves. The study aims to ascertain at which junction are the Basotho in terms of the above, have they lost interest in speaking their language, practising their culture and portraying their identity? This research study, employed the qualitative research methodology to reveal the interdependent relationship between the concepts of language, culture and identity and their dynamism brought on by the time lapse between generations of Basotho living in the Free State Province of South Africa and Lesotho. The ethnographic research design enabled the researcher to investigate the concepts in their natural setting and as a process was being studied and not the final product. The consent form will be explained and the content of the study to 25 researcher participants of mixed genders, ages 20 - 80 years. The researcher will collect data by interacting with participants by asking questions, making observations, taking notes and recording the interviews on voice recorder. Data will be analysed and interpreted. The literatures consulted gave definitions of the concepts of language, culture and identity. These concepts are in a state of continuum, never remaining static and constantly affecting each other interchangeably. The scholars are in agreement that language transmits culture and identity. The reality of life as experienced and expressed by people reflect their culture and identity Speakers of other languages cannot fully understand the intricacies or nuances of another culture as their terms of reference are framed by their own language and culture. This means that an individual's frame of mind in understanding his/ her environment is hugely influenced by their language and culture. The research is supported by Sapir theory of language and cultu re that heightens the view that language and culture are indispensable, and that language is the vehicle that carries culture everywhere. The findings revealed that the ideology of a particular speech commun ity is propagated by; language - defining and expressing their culture and identity; cul ture - a way of life and how people perceive and make sense of the world around them; and lastly iden tity - how people distinguish themselves from others commun ities through their clothes, music, food, practices, customs, etc. It demonstrated that the older generations are the custodians and teachers of language, culture and identity, and that the younger generations are current students and in turn future custod ians for the generations to come. Basotho nation is in fact very fortunate that the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, shall into many eons of time to come, continue to produce Basotho, who speak Sesotho and practice Sesotho cultu re and portray bosotho identity and propagate all things Sesotho going forward.