Gender Asymmetry in the Address System of the Basotho
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Date
2008
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Publisher
National University of Lesotho: Faculty of Humanities
Abstract
Address forms are regarded as indicators of deference, politeness and markers of social distance. This paper
examines the address forms and referring expressions used by the Basotho. These forms and expressions are
examined with a view to looking at the factors determining their use. The paper is based mainly on semantic and
pragmatic analysis with sociolinguistic/ethnographic overtones. It argues that the use of these terms is a result of
cultural stereotypes which have seen men and women treated differently. The paper thus indicates that the terms are
not merely linguistic but are indicators of the Basotho's social universe.