The Dynamics of Language Use Among Rural and Urban Kenyan Youths
Muaka, Leonard
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82659
Description
Title
The Dynamics of Language Use Among Rural and Urban Kenyan Youths
Author(s)
Muaka, Leonard
Issue Date
2009
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Eyamba Bokamba
Department of Study
Linguistics
Discipline
Linguistics
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Speech Communication
Language
eng
Abstract
Although indigenous languages do not hold prestigious status in formal domains, I show that they, including Sheng, are viewed as being legitimate by their speakers in the informal domains. In the end I argue that while English is indisputably dominant in the official domains it is not embraced as a Kenyan identity marker. The findings of this study further demonstrate that on one hand, the Kenyan participants that were investigated have attachment to their indigenous languages because of emotional and cultural reasons, but that they also recognize the importance of English as an instrumental language in official domains and outside the Kenyan speech community. Finally, I argue that in the current Kenyan language situation there is no adequate evidence to suggest the presence of eminent language shift especially in the rural areas. In the urban areas, Sheng serves as a middle ground between the official and the indigenous languages for the youths. However, the vitality and robustness of the local languages which enhance stable multilingualism will depend on the kind of multilingual language policies that are pursued.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.