The Interpretation of “Tlhahisoleseding” v/s “Tlhahisolesedi”

Abstract

This study seeks to question the continuous usage of the compound locative noun ‘tlhahisoleseding’ (information) as the basic noun. The paper argues that ‘tlhahisoleseding’ (information) is a locative noun (an adverb of place) derived from the noun ‘tlhahisolesedi’ (information) and should not be used as an equivalent term for information but ‘tlhahisolesedi’ instead. The basic principles of compound or complex nouns formation were scrutinised; and the implications of suffixal morpheme –eng/-ng in changing basic nouns into locative nouns. The suffixal uses of –eng/-ng in other Sesotho word categories is presented. The Theory of Government and Binding (GB) and its sub theories were applied. The outcomes of the study show that ‘tlhahisoleseding’ is a locative noun whereas ‘tlhahisolesedi’ is a basic compound noun which has a reading of information. The morphological analysis of these ‘alternating’ nouns shows that they produce different meaning in Sesotho sentences.