Analysis of the language techniques and thematic aspects of the Basotho accordion music

[摘要] English: Informed by the functionalist perspective, the study analyzes the Basotho accordionmusic over the period 1980 �?2005. Of particular importance are the various themesaddressed by the verbal text that comes up in the music. Specifically, the study analyzesthe language used in the composition of the songs accompanying the Basotho accordionmusic; the rationale behind the use of such language. The study also looks at the status ofthe composers or artists of the music as well as the role of their music among Basotho;and last, it looks at the reception of the Basotho accordion music by Basotho.In order to address the above purposes of the study, the qualitative method was used tointerpret the songs. The population of the study was all the Basotho artists, radiopresenters of the music, shop owners selling the music, street vendors and the public thatlistens to the music and buys it. A stratified random sampling method was used to selectwith the subjects of the study. A total of 100 songs were analyzed while 81 subjects wereinterviewed for this study.The findings of the study on the issues investigated are that, Basotho accordion musicpromotes or helps in the aesthetics of the Sesotho language; that it is a reservoir of richlanguage. The recurring themes in the music range from social, political and economicissues. The music forges patriotism among Basotho by promoting customs, norms andvalues of the nation. In terms of status, the artists are either illiterate or semi-literate andthe music is their main means of livelihood. On the whole, most Basotho are receptive toBasotho accordion music in many different ways.The study concludes that Basotho accordion music is part of the oral traditional music ofBasotho since it retains some features of oral traditional music. Accordion music is veryrich in a variety of linguistic techniques common in oral traditions of Basotho. The musicalso reflects the lifestyle of Basotho because of its historicity and coverage of concerns ofthe nation.

[发布机构] University of the Free State