Language and Meaning With examples contributed by Dr Tsepang Leuta and Professor Nnamdi Elleh In this short communication, and using two words, “civilization” and “culture”, we are providing two examples of what Wits-VITS is about and how it is different from other online sources like WIKIPEDIA. We will examine these two words in three indigenous African languages, two in South Africa and one from West Africa. Meanings Are Not Stable: You will find in the two examples that follow that meanings are not stable. The meanings of broad concepts like civilization and culture would vary when considered critically from other languages. Moreover the expanded meanings may or may not contradict each other, but they nevertheless expand our knowledge. Please consider the first example that follows. Civilization Examined in English Language: Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2010: 254) lists three definitions for civilization, and all are related. The first one says that it is “a state of human civilization that is very developed and organized… .” 8
The dictionary lists these examples in italic letters in the first definition. The technology of modern civilization. The Victorians regarded the railways as bringing progress and civilization. The second listing suggests that civilization is about “a society, its culture and way of life during a particular period of time or in a particular part of the world.” The third definition is broader by including all the people in the world, environments, etc. The examples below expand this definition without contradicting it. Civilization Examined in Sotho and in Setswana Languages/Dialects: The word civilization means tsoelopele in Southern Sotho and tswelopele in Northern Sotho (Sepedi) and Setswana. The day-to-day meaning of tsoelopele/tswelopelo is progress and advancement depending on the context of the conversation. We find parallels in the Sotho and the Setswana and the English definition above. An example in an English language context usage is ‘there are remains of tsoelopele/tswelopelo (ancient civilizations) that are well preserved at the BakoneMalapa Open Air Museum in Polokwane, Limpopo’. In Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi an example can read: Dichaba tse fapaneng di tlisitse tswelopele Afrika Borwa. This can be translated as many
