Lemmatization of verbs in Northern Sotho

Abstract

Currently available dictionaries for Northern Sotho reflect the incapability of compilers to satisfactorily lemmatize verbs in especially pocket- and medium-size dictionaries. With this article I present the first serious attempt to analyse/troubleshoot the verb in Northern Sotho from a lexicographical point of view. Secondly, to critically evaluate traditional efforts towards reducing/selecting the number of possible entries, or the consequences of ignoring the necessity for such a reduction/selection from the numerous verbal derivations. It will be argued that any attempt to lemmatize verbs for Northern Sotho today must be conducted against the background of (a) the user perspective; (b) physical limitations of the dictionary; and (c) current standing/status and availability of dictionaries.