RP-Department of English & Linguistics

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Access To Literacy Empowerment Through Systematic Interventions: English Literacy Benchmarks In Kenya
(Journal Of College Teaching & Learning, 2005) Gathumbi, Agnes W.
English language in Kenya has been given a higher status as compared to other languages. Apart from being the official language, it is the language of instruction from primary four upwards. Stakeholders also regard it as the language of social and economic upward mobility. Recognition of English mastery notwithstanding, there is evidence that the reality in the school system is far below the ideal. Although the shortcomings in the mastery of literacy in English in Kenyan primary schools are associated with a number of factors, studies done in this area have not delved into detailed intervention approaches needed to improve English Literacy in primary schools. It was therefore, important to develop benchmarks as standards to inform policy makers, curriculum developers, teachers, teacher trainers and materials developers. This paper reports the results of a nationwide study aimed at reducing illiteracy in Kenya by developing interventions in form of English Literacy benchmarks for primary grades 3 and 6.This study was done by a team of Research and Development researchers, with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation. This is the first time attainment standards of any kind have been developed in Kenya.
Accuracy of Google Translate in Translation of English-Kiswahili and Kiswahili-English Newspaper Headlines
(IJRISS, 2024-02) Kisilu, Esther; Wangia, Joyce
This paper endeavors to determine the accuracy of Google Translate in newspaper headlines from Kiswahili to English and vice versa, while using the human translator as the yardstick. Newspaper headlines in both Kiswahili and English were identified and randomly selected. Three human translators were used to so that the Google Translate translations could be measured against the human translators. The Relevance Theory was applied during the research. This study made use of both Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodology and a Descriptive Research Design. Simple Random Sampling was used to select the data to be used while Purposive Sampling was used when choosing the human translators. Fifty data sets were tested, twenty-five of which were in Kiswahili while the rest were in English. Content analysis was thereafter applied to interpret the translation output. The study found that the human translator is more accurate than Google Translate. In addition, some human translations were found to slightly differ from Google translations in the wording but still had the same meaning. The study focused on the communicativeness of the translated data and found that some items translated exhibited meaning losses. It was found that Google Translate was able to accurately render the meaning of 28/50 (56%) of the instructions examined, implying that it is 56% accurate in translating Kiswahili to English and vice versa. Mistranslations were found to be more prevalent in the Kiswahili source data. This therefore means that sometimes miscommunication occurs as some items are not accurately rendered. This study thus offers useful insight on areas of intervention in Machine Translation, particularly Google Translate.
An analysis of the spelling errors in the written English of Kenyan pre‐university students
(Taylor & Francis, 1994) Nyamasyo, Eunice A.
There are two medical schools training doctors in Kenya: the Moi University established in 1984 and the University of Nairobi established in 1967. The University of Nairobi has so far produced the majority of Kenyan doctors. Both are public universities with the Government being the main financier. The increased demand for university education and the inability to meet these demands has led to the introduction of a system of training self-sponsored medical students alongside Government-subsidised students. One other public university has started a medical school. The pressure to increase the number of schools and students in the absence of increased resources poses a particular challenge to the country.
ATR Harmony in English Borrowed Words in Ng’aturukana: An Optimality Theory Account
(Royallite Global, 2021) Tioko, Celestine Nkieny; Nandelenga, Henry Simiyu; Barasa, David
English is an official and language of instruction in schools in Kenya. From these contexts, Ng’aturukana, a language spoken by the Turkana people of North Western Kenya, gets into contact with English through trade, education, among other fields. As a consequence, the borrowed words have to be assimilated, especially through vowel harmony to befit Ng’aturukana. Vowel harmony which was observed to be bidirectional (both progressive and regressive) under the rule-based Generative Phonology was problematic in rule ordering. Optimality Theory was the better option to account for the vowel harmony phenomenon noted by this paper. Vowel Harmony is a special type of assimilation where vowels in the respective syllables or roots agree in terms of tongue root feature specification so that all belong to a harmonic set; Advanced Tongue Root [+ATR] or Retracted Tongue Root [-ATR]. To phonetically account for ATR, native speakers were asked to pronounce the borrowed words. All articulations were recorded, transcribed and glosses given. From the analyses, this paper reports three outcomes of Vowel Harmony in the borrowed words; firstly, regressive sharing of ATR feature was observed in situations where the root or suffixes ATR feature was stronger than the preceding root vowels. Secondly, both progressive and regressive ATR harmony simultaneously occurs in situations where the root ATR was stronger than the preceding and following roots vowels. Lastly, some vowels manifested opacity where regressive ATR was blocked from spreading to the preceding vowels.
Between Globalization and Localization: Aesthetic Manifestation of Globality, Reflexivity and Social Change in Daya Pawar’s Baluta (2015)
(Royallite Global, 2020) Makokha, Gloria Ajami
Daya Pawar posthumously clearly establishes his human personality, laying bare to readers of his work, both his scars and warts, his pride and shame. Through his story Baluta, considered his autobiography and recently translated to English by Jerry Pinto, he gives us a chance to reclaim our own humanity. In a society where castes play a big role in determining both the present andthe future of a person, social change is the only way to ensure equity and fairness to those regarded as the lower caste members, a group to which Daya Pawar himself belonged. The text Baluta thus comes in handy to both bring out the woes of the dalits, and their importance on the flipside in the society, which the members of the upper caste blatantly refuse to acknowledge, but left alone, cannot perform these roles that are considered filthy. These Dalits are born into savagery, hence they are compelled to live within this cocoon, with minimum chances of ever changing this situation. Baluta, however, as stated by Pawar is just but a tip of the iceberg, hence there is still more to be deciphered concerning the plight of the lower caste members in India. This paper entails an analysis of Baluta, in terms of how globality, reflexivity and social change have been reflected, with these three concepts oscillating between globalization and localization.
“Bodies on the Move”: Examining the Quest for Migration in the Postcolonial Africa Novel
(eajass, 2022) Chepkwony, Mark Kipkoech; Mutie, Stephen Muthoka; Goro, Nicholas Kamau
The scholarship of cosmopolitanism and migrations, in many forms, narrative, artistic, and cultural continues to influence and inform our experiences as global citizens navigating an increasingly complicated global environment. This paper aims to re(map) these notions, whichcalls for reconsideration, re-evaluation, and emphasizing the importance of cosmopolitanism as reflected in literature. There has been an exponential increase in studies on cosmopolitanism in literature during the last two decades. This tendency is directly tied with transnational interconnection and experiences with a difference in a way that has never been seen before as a result of cross-border commerce, migration, mobility, media, and consumption. This paper interrogates Open City by Teju Cole; We NeedNew Names by No Violet Bulawayo, Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasie and Beyond Babylon by Igiaba Scego to underscore how they use cosmopolitanism as the main idea.
A Case for the Phonetic Feature [Tongue]
(National Inquiry Services Centre, 2004) Mwihaki, A. N.
Based on the autosegmental principles of phonemic licensing, this article argues a case for the phonetic feature [tongue] to function as a cover label for all true consonants that are articulated with a tongue stricture. The case evolves from a qualitative analysis of two strategies of the adaptation of Gîkûyû loanwords from English: vocalic epenthesis and velar softening. Vocalic epenthesis is an assimilation strategy which focuses on the front high vowel, /i/. This vowel is regularly inserted in the environment of the true [+con.-voc.] consonants, which are also articulated with a tongue stricture. Unlike the back vowels /u/ and /o/ which regularly occur in the environments of labials and the liquid respectively, the constraint of /i/ epenthesis is not generalizable by any set of recognized phonetic features. Velar softening concerns a foregrounding of Dahl's Law of Dissimilation in the Gîkûyû phonological structure. This strategy defines the suppletion of the back voiceless plosive, /k/, to the homorganic voiced fricative, /γ/, in the environment of the voiceless obstruents of the tongue stricture. Once again, it seems impossible to capture a definitive constraint of the suppletion process by reference to the current set of phonetic features.
Citation Practices in Selected Science and Humanities Dissertations: Implications for Teaching
(American Journal of Educational Research, 2013) Maroko, Geoffrey Mokua
The citation feature provides justification for arguments and demonstrates the novelty of one’s position in research writing. It shows how a piece of research arises out of, and is grounded in the current state of disciplinary knowledge. As such, research supervisors encourage the candidates under their guidance to make citations especially when writing literature reviews and discussion sections of their dissertations. This requirement plunges many a student in confusion on how to go about this integral undertaking without written citation norms in their disciplines. The question that emerges is: On which benchmarks should dissertation writers base their citations when writing dissertations in their disciplines? Put in other words, on which benchmarks should research supervisors base their judgement on the quality of citations in their students’ dissertations? The aim of this paper therefore is to uncover citation practices in selected Humanities and Science dissertations from Kenyan public universities. The paper analyses the citation types and reporting verbs of choice employed in Humanities dissertations and compares them with those in the Science dissertations. Consequently, the paper proposes a set of citation norms that can inform the writing of the Humanities and Sciences dissertation and suggests a genre-based approach for raising students’ consciousness to the citation norms during the drafting stage of their dissertations. Keywords: citation, integral and non-integral citations, norms, communities of practice
Citation Practices in selected science and humanities dissertations: implications for teaching
(Science and Education Publishing, 2013) Maroko, Geoffrey Mokua
The citation feature provides justification for arguments and demonstrates the novelty of one’s position in research writing. It shows how a piece of research arises out of, and is grounded in the current state of disciplinary knowledge. As such, research supervisors encourage the candidates under their guidance to make citations especially when writing literature reviews and discussion sections of their dissertations. This requirement plunges many a student in confusion on how to go about this integral undertaking without written citation norms in their disciplines. The question that emerges is: On which benchmarks should dissertation writers base their citations when writing dissertations in their disciplines? Put in other words, on which benchmarks should research supervisors base their judgement on the quality of citations in their students’ dissertations? The aim of this paper therefore is to uncover citation practices in selected Humanities and Science dissertations from Kenyan public universities. The paper analyses the citation types and reporting verbs of choice employed in Humanities dissertations and compares them with those in the Science dissertations. Consequently, the paper proposes a set of citation norms that can inform the writing of the Humanities and Sciences dissertation and suggests a genre-based approach for raising students’ consciousness to the citation norms during the drafting stage of their dissertations.
Communicative Value of Cinematographic Elements in Super Sema Animated Series
(African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2023) Gichuki, Atenya; Mugubi, John; Mbayi, Oliver
Background: The study explored the construction of cinematographic elements in Super Sema, a Kenyan animation film. The study intended to reconnoitre how cinematographic elements conveyed certain communicative values, which was done by investigating how the cinematographic elements were used to convey particular communicative values. Animation films use visual elements to convey various messages to the audience, and Cinematography is one of the most influential factors in communicating ideas to the audience visually. Cinematography is incredibly important in films, and a filmmaker has to understand different cinematographic methods and how to use them to tell a narrative effectively visually. This research aimed to determine whether Super Sema series animators employed cinematographic elements as visual metaphors with visual semantics to convey various communicative values. Methodology: The study used Super Sema (2021) animated series as a case study. The following objective guided the study: To establish the communicative value of the cinematographic elements in Super Sema. This study was qualitative in nature. Random sampling was employed to select the sample of the eight (8) episodes of the Super Sema animated series. The study used Semiotic theory to explain the study's variables, relationships, and findings. The primary data was collected via observations-close reading, and secondary Super data was collected from the existing literary works. Content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. Conclusion: After conducting a content analysis through a close reading of the selected episodes, the study found five communicative values associated with cinematographic elements to signify thematic aspects, emotions, power dynamics, guiding the viewer and revealing visual narrative information (VNI).
A Comparative Study of English Language Speaking Skill in Private and Public Primary Schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya
(African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2021) Nabwire, Cynthia Esther; Orago, Stephen; Nthiga, Purity
Purpose of the Study: To investigate the measures employed to foster the acquisition of English language speaking skills in both private and public primary schools in Trans - Nzoia County. The objectives of the research were the following: To establish the disparities that exists in the learning of English language speaking skill in private and public schools in Trans-Nzoia County; to analyze the reasons that lead to disparities in the learning of English speaking skill in private and public schools of Trans Nzoia County and to explain how the school language culture affects the learning of English language speaking skill among pupils in private and public primary schools. Statement of the Problem: English Language is one of the core subjects taught to all students in Kenya as most of the examinable subjects at primary, secondary, tertiary and university levels are done in this language. The proper acquisition of English language skills in primary schools is a milestone towards fostering students who are fluent communicators. . Research Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was employed in which 6 primary schools in Trans-Nzoia County were selected to draw generalizations from. Purposive sampling was used to identify the sample population from both public and private primary schools. The target population consisted of 3 public schools and 3 private schools from all the sub-counties. Questionnaires were administered to the H.O.D’s (Heads of Departments) or H.O.S (Head of Subjects) of languages. Furthermore, interviews were conducted to the head teachers of the 6 schools that were sampled. The data was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. This entailed collating the data received from interviews and through observation to explain the findings in accordance with the set objectives. Result: The findings revealed that in the selected schools, there were few disparities in the acquisition of English skills in private and public schools but many similarities were also noted. The findings revealed a notable disparity in the acquisition of English language skill in both categories. More speaking activities in English language were found to exist in private schools as opposed to public schools; these activities entailed: debates, speaking competitions and class presentations. Conclusion: The end result was that those students in private schools were seen to have more mastery of speaking skill in English as opposed to their counterparts in public schools. Recommendation: The study recommends that more student cantered approaches be adopted which will enhance comprehensive acquisition of English language speaking skill among learners. The findings will be of benefit to Linguists, Educators, Psychologists, and curriculum developers.
Computer-based corpora: problems of collection and interpretation of Kenyan texts in English
(Kenyatta University, 1999) Nyamasyo, Eunice A.
Computer-basedcorpora as sources of language material for description is a relatively new concept inlinguistics in Kenya, if not in Africa generally. The collection of relevant and / or appropriate text samples:spoken, written, or otherwise, is therefore fraught with a number of difficulties. The linguist isfaced with a range of problems in, firstly, processing any collected material and secondly, making correctinterpretations of the said data. The computer, a recent innovative tool in language-based research, requires the researcher to have both data inputting and processing skills. Text samples as the basis of data are obtained from various sources some of which require special permission to access. Once acquired, text samples vary in origin and characteristics hence raising issues of interpretation.Notwithstanding, the Kenyan sample is an essential component of the International Corpusof English (ICE) as a source of data for the description of the present-day English language.
Consonant vowel harmany:evidence from the phonotactics of loanword adaptation
(2011-10-27) Mwihaki, A. N.
The Crisis of Post-Colonial Intellectual Thought and Knowledge Production: Examining Jared Angira’s African Revolutionary Egalitarianism
(Royallite Global, 2021-03-29) Wachira, Joyce Wanjiku; Goro, Nicholas Kamau; Mutie, Stephen Muthoka
This paper critiques Jared Angira’s poetry, and the ideology it manifests with a view to interrogating the “Marxist” label scholars attach to him. Although justifications abound for the prevailing perspectives on Angira’s ideology as “Marxist”, they are limited in their subconscious reinforcement of the traditional white-supremacist image-branding of Africa in terms of deficiency and inferiority. In further contributing to the decolonisation of knowledge generation and consumption in the Global South, the paper interprets these views as theoretically misleading and ideologically incorrect. It adopts the contrary position that Angira is an African Revolutionary Egalitarian, thus paving way for the appreciation of his uniquely African contribution to endogenous knowledge production and the intellectual armoury of African political ideas. Though African Revolutionary Egalitarianism, a term we coin to try and apprehend the ideology we read in Angira’s poetry, has Marxist inclinations, in contexture, it is not Marxism. Angira’s poems are the primary data. Besides critical evaluations on the primary texts, knowledge situated around the general context of contemporary African ideological paradigms and knowledge systems constitutes secondary data. Knowledge on the broad range of historical factors, experiences and contours which shape Angira’s worldview, personality and writing also constitute an essential category of secondary data.
Critical Discourse Analysis in Ekegusii Circumcision Songs
(IJHSS, 2024-07) Ombongi, Davins Nyanuga; Ong’onda, Anashia Nancy; Itumo, Joshua
Language acts as a primary vehicle for transmitting cultural norms, values and expectations even the thought paradigms from one generation to another.The study investigated the link between language and gender in Ekegusii circumcision songs, guided by fairclough’s tenet( 1993) which states that discourse constitutes society and culture. The study found out that the Ekegusii circumcision songs are loaded with cultural stereotypes which propagates male dominance. This study applied descriptive research methodology and purposive sampling method to select statements which demarcates gender roles with the intention of elevating masculinity in the community. The analysed song reveal that the Ekegusii male circumcision songs are sexist and obscene creating masculinity dominance in defining the gender roles. This study thus has empirical contribution on research on language, and gender as major concepts in society and academics. The study is beneficial to the stakeholders who are charged with accelerating national efforts to achieve gender equity and towards attaining the Sustainable Development goal of gender equality
Cultural Perspectives in Language and Speech Disorders
(Disability Studies Quarterly, 2009) Ndung'u, R; Kinyua, M
Culture has a heavy overlay on the perceptions and the subsequent handling of persons with language and speech disorders. This article reviews the cultural perspectives of language and speech disorders as portrayed by persons with language and speech disorders, parents, teachers, and language and speech pathologists. The information on cultural perspectives was collected between November 2006 and August 2007 during Operation Smile, Kenya Chapter Missions. 20 persons, aged between 8 and 53 years, were interviewed. The research objective was to establish the cultural perspective that determines the interpretations of language and speech disorders and their subsequent management. The finding of the study is that there is a notable cultural association or correlation between cultural beliefs and language and speech disorders. There is also ignorance of the causes and management procedures of language and speech disorders. We conclude that there is a need to provide assessment and treatment protocols that are culturally fair, effective, and acceptable. Such protocols include taking into account gender preferences, adhering to culturally relevant communication patterns, and using collaborative therapy.
The Demands of a Changing Society: English in Education in Kenya Today
(2012-10-17) Kioko, Angelina N.; Muthwii, Margaret J.
English plays a key role in Kenya's educational system, not only as an important subject but especially as the medium of instruction. It has been claimed that the model and the norm of the English used in Kenya, apart from pidgin varieties, is the British Standard variety and in particular, Received Pronunciation (RP) (Schmied, 1990; Zuengler, 1982). Is this indeed the case? If not, what are the actual norms of correctness and appropriateness with regard to pronunciation, grammar, semantics, or pragmatics within the Kenyan community? There exists a discrepancy between the theoretical norm and the actual language behaviour, what challenges does this state of affairs present to an education system that relies heavily on the use of the English language? In examining these issues the paper adopts a historical perspective and discusses the factors that indicate the presence of a discrepancy between a theoretical norm and the actual language behaviour and then explores the consequences of such a situation. It also considers the valuable lessons that could be learnt, firstly from local creative writers' adaptation to the sociolinguistic/sociocultural reality, secondly from the move towards the democratisation and Africanisation of education in Kenya's history, and thirdly from what is happening in other non-native English contexts.
Education as a tool for empowering Kenya's street children for integration in national development
(United States International University, 2009) Njoroge, Martin C.
Education is an empowering process that enables those who have been marginalized in the social, economic, political and cultural spheres to claim their status as fully participating members of the society. Nevertheless, about 300,000 street children in Kenya have had no formal education and are not proficient in the two languages used – English (official language) and Swahili (national language)- languages in which vital information leading to improved livelihoods and participation in national development is available. Drawing evidence from an ongoing study on the literacy and numeracy needs of street children in Kenya, I argue that street children need to be equipped with appropriate knowledge through acquisition of numeracy, language and literacy skills for them to be fully empowered to be able to participate in the country's development.
Effectiveness of character and style in communicating myths of origin: A critical analysis of Tigania Community of Kenya
(Royallite Global, 2020) Rukunga, Mwamukui Priscila; Ndege, Speranza
Characterization in a work of art comprises the persons through whom the writer speaks to his audience. Characters play a vital role in literature as they control the plot of the story, bring out themes and arouse and sustain interest. Forster (1972) asserts that the importance of characterization is anchored on the fact that a writer is able to appeal to the intelligence and imagination of the reader. This paper examines six myths of origin from the Tigania Community. These myths are: The Origin of Death, Red-Thigh Woman, (Ngirani), Domestication of Animals, 'Gichiaro', Naming Patterns and Rain and Thunderstorms. These reveal the deep-rooted cultural subversion of the female gender and there seems no hope of unwarping the woman from the intricate web that culture has constructed for her. Characterization and style have been artistically interwoven in the creation of the myths. Chapman (1973) stipulates that in a literary work, language is conscious in formation and that it is a medium not only for communication or expression but for effect. This paper exposes a myriad of challenges assailing the female gender in the Tigania Community, whose patrilineal set up is deeply entrenched, this woman had desperately resigned to her fate.
Effects of Teacher's Attitude on Child’s Academic Performance: The Case of Hohoe Municipality
(Royallite Global, 2019) Duhoe, Alberta Aseye Ama
This paper investigates the impact of educator's attitudes on the academic performance of children in basic schools in the Hohoe Municipality. Teacher's attitude, as estimated by the standard inventory in this research, involved seven particular components of an attitude (clarity, enthusiasm, interaction, organization, disclosure, speech, and rapport) while the academic performance of the children was estimated by their (student's) class score. By utilizing a stratified proportionate testing strategy, 300 students were chosen from structure basic institutions in Hohoe Municipality and a cross-sectional study was led to gauge the impact and to find the connection between factors. It has been established from information examination that instructors' attitude has a significant association with academic performance. Of these seven components, the research found five components (clarity, organization, disclosure, speech, and rapport) have a significant association with children's academic performance while two components (enthusiasm and organization) have no association with the dependent variable. Children have a significant difference in their academic performance while the only single component (speech) was found to reveal distinction based on their (student's) sexual orientation

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