Part of
Gender and Language in Sub-Saharan Africa: Tradition, struggle and changeEdited by Lilian Lem Atanga, Sibonile Edith Ellece, Lia Litosseliti and Jane Sunderland
[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society 33] 2013
► pp. 177–202
Edited by Lilian Lem Atanga, Sibonile Edith Ellece, Lia Litosseliti and Jane Sunderland
[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society 33] 2013
► pp. 177–202
Chapter 8.Language and gender in popular music in Botswana
In recent years Botswana has seen tremendous growth in the popular music industry. Many of the songs that have recently been released represent critical commentary on contemporary Setswana society; they arguably construct, as well as reflect, the realities of urbanization, globalization and social change. In this chapter on the topic of popular music in Botswana I seek to answer the following research questions: How is gender represented linguistically in a selection of recent popular music in Botswana? How is such representation realised linguistically? I argue that the Setswana language is a key medium, spoken and written, through which Batswana transmit cultural values, and, as such, through it, gender identities are constructed, sustained and contested. The chapter concludes that these songs reflect the changing nature of Botswana society.
Cited by
Cited by 2 other publications
Diabah, Grace
2019. The representation of women in Ghanaian radio commercials: Sustaining or challenging gender stereotypes?. Language in Society 48:2 ► pp. 261 ff. 
Nhlekisana, Rosaleen Oabona Brankie
2021. Orality and Technology: Transforming Traditional Songs to Popular Music. In The Palgrave Handbook of African Oral Traditions and Folklore, ► pp. 907 ff.
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