The impact of misuse of suprasegmental features in indigenous languages in South Africa: a case study in Tshivenda

Tshivenḓa is one of the indigenous languages spoken in South Africa. Tshivenḓa, is very close to many indigenous languages spoken in South Africa and Africa such as Kelobedu, Sepedi, isiZulu, Chishona, Kiswahili, and many other indigenous African languages not mentioned here. This article highlights the distortion of meaning made through misuse of suprasegmental features by Tshivenḓa broadcasters in determining meanings of words, which look alike but differ in meaning. The main aim of this re-search is to investigate how the misuse of suprasegmental features disregards meanings of two or more words which are written the same but have different meanings from one another. The researcher will employ qualitative methodology whereby both primary and secondary methods will be used. Data will be collected from published journal articles, Tshivenḓa grammar books and through listening Tshivenḓa news when presented. A Phonological Theoretical Framework will be used as an underpin of this article. It is envisaged that this article will reveal the importance of taking suprasegmental features into cognizance in the Tshivenḓa text.