Contextualization of IsiXhosa Language Speech Acts Through Art Practice

Authors

  • Nombeko P Mpako * University of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55121/card.v2i2.48

Keywords:

IsiXhosa language, Dialogical action research, Communicative action, Art actionism, Art activism, Speech acts

Abstract

This article represents an iconographic analysis of a selection of artworks from the author’s recent solo exhibition entitled Obu bubomi bam 8 out of 8: I teach Art, 2021. The selected artworks were titled using isiXhosa language speech acts which complement their visual narratives and expand their iconographic meanings. IsiXhosa is one of South Africa’s indigenous languages and is also the author’s mother tongue. The titles were consciously constructed to contribute to the art activism inherent within the artworks. These artworks do not only tell an authentic life story, they also highlight the importance of language in extending the impact of the visual narratives so that they are accessible to all viewers. This is because for any information and or message to be understood and meaningful to another person it must be conveyed through everyday / vernacular language. Thus, the selected artworks presented in this article were meant to influence and engage the viewers meaningfully as art actionism. The main objective of this article is to unpack these visual metaphors by reinterpreting the essence of their individual titles. The article is also meant to contribute to the contextualization of African indigenous languages as legitimate tools for the dissemination of inclusive and valuable knowledge.

Author Biography

Nombeko P Mpako, University of South Africa

Nombeko Mpako is an Associate Professor of Visual Arts, Practicing Artist, Curator and an Academic Associate in the Department of Art and Music at the University of South Africa (UNISA).  She studied at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa where she obtained an Honours degree in Fine Arts and Higher Education teaching diploma. She further obtained Masters of Art and Design Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in Art Education at the University of New South Wales in Australia.  She has lectured creative arts programmes at undergraduate and supervised several postgraduate students. She has moderated undergraduate programmes and served as an external examiner of postgraduate students at various South African, Continental, and international universities. She has peer reviewed for a number of journals and conferences. Her research topics vary from African Art History and Culture, Visual/fine Art Practice-led research, Curriculum development, teaching and Learning methodologies as well as Professional Development of schools’ teachers. She has presented at conferences and published papers and participated in several exhibitions.

References

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How to Cite

Mpako, N. P. (2024). Contextualization of IsiXhosa Language Speech Acts Through Art Practice. Cultural Arts Research and Development, 2(2), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.55121/card.v2i2.48

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (December 2022)

Section

Review

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Copyright (c) 2022 Nombeko P. Mpako

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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