Xitsonga Home Language - Term 2 - Week 7

Grammar is the set of rules that helps us use a language correctly. In Xitsonga, just like in any language, we need to use the right words in the right order to make sense. Today, we will learn how to spot mistakes in sentences and how to fix them. We will also practice using punctuation marks like full stops, commas, and question marks to make our writing clearer.

Let's look at this sentence: 'Nna u ya esikolweni.' (I go to school.) If we want to ask a question, we need to change it to 'Nna u ya esikolweni?' (Do I go to school?) Notice how we added a question mark at the end. Now, let's correct another sentence together: 'Nna u suka.' (I leave.) What punctuation do we need to add here?

Now, I will give you some words, and I want you to form a complete sentence. The words are: 'Nna', 'tshameka', 'na', 'bana'. (I play with children.) How can we arrange these words to make a correct sentence? Remember to think about punctuation. Once you have your sentence, share it with your partner and check if they have used the correct punctuation.

Here is a short text with some mistakes: 'Nna u etla, na mama. U tshameka na bana.' (I come with mom. I play with children.) Read the text carefully and find the mistakes. Correct the sentences by adding punctuation where needed. After you finish, write your corrected version on a clean sheet of paper and be ready to share it with the class.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Question mark
• Exclamation mark

Answer: Question mark

A question mark is used to indicate that a sentence is asking something.

• Nna u ya esikolweni
• Nna u ya esikolweni?
• Nna u ya esikolweni!
• Nna u ya esikolweni,

Answer: Nna u ya esikolweni?

The correct form to ask a question includes a question mark at the end.

Answer: Grammar

Grammar refers to the set of rules that govern how we use a language.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Colon
• Semicolon

Answer: Comma

Commas are used to separate items in a list to make it clearer.

Answer: Nna u tshameka na bana.

This sentence means 'I play with children.' and includes proper punctuation.

• Nna u etla?
• Nna u etla.
• Nna u etla!
• Nna u etla,

Answer: Nna u etla.

A statement ends with a full stop and provides information.

Answer: To clarify meaning and indicate pauses.

Punctuation helps readers understand the structure and meaning of sentences.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Exclamation mark
• Question mark