MST-Department of English & Linguistics

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Acquisation of the English Preposational Phrase by Kenyan School Children
(2013-04-19) Kariuki, John Kuria
The Acquisition of Gikiiyu Syntactic Structures by- Gikuyu Children aged Between 3 and 5 Years.
(Kenyatta University, 1991-09) Ndung'u, Ruth Wangeci
This study was carried out on the acquisition of Gikuyu syntax by Gikuyu children. These children were at a critical stage of speech development, that is, between three and five years. The study was prompted by the general observation of 'fluent 'children of a tender age. The aim was to test this 'fluency' by conducting a field research. This study is an attempt to describe the syntax of Gikuyu children between the age of 3 and 5 years. It gives a descriptive analysis of their sentences. The study looks into the rules and the level of complexity of the childen's syntax. The study was prompted by general observations of 'fluent' children aged 5 years or below. The question was, how 'fluent' are they? This could only be answered by looking at their syntax and analyzing it. The study was influenced by readings on child /language learning, for example, that of Carol Chomsky (1969. Chomsky, (ibid), says that people assume that children have mastered the syntax of their first language by the age of 5. In this work we wanted to find out whether it is just an assumption or a fact that children master syntax by age 5. A field research was conducted on six Gikuyu children between the age of 3 and 5 years. The children's utterances were tested using interviews and the participant- observation method. These were recorded on tape and in writing. After analysing the data, it was evident that the children's syntax was complex. They used complex rules which can be found in the syntax of adult Gikuyu speakers. The analysis showed that the children had mastered the syntax of Gikuyu. They had learned and internalised the syntactic rules of Gikuyu. They used these rules in both experimental and spontaneous situations. Therefore, the children did not just seem 'fluent', they were fluent.
Acquisition of lexicon by Kenyan primary school children in a multilingual environment: a case of Kyeni Location, Embu County
(Kenyatta University, 2016-06) Nduma, Jayne R. F.
For a long time, schools in rural Embu have been using instructional materials written in Gikuyu. This is due to lack of instructional materials written in the language of the catchment area which is Kiembu. Various Education Commissions recommended the use of mother-tongue as a language of instruction in the first three years of schooling. In line with this, the schools in Embu teach using mother tongue but they use instructional materials written in Gikuyu. This study sought to determine the process of acquisition of noun and verb lexical items of school going children in a multilingual environment. The study was an attempt to investigate some of the factors that may influence language acquisition at a critical stage of age 6-7 years. It is hoped that the findings of the study will inform policy makers on the need to have instructional materials written in Kiembu for use in primary schools in Embu County. Data was collected from six children aged between six and seven years. Three of them were pupils at Kiamboa Primary school in Kyeni location, Embu County, an environment where they are exposed to Kiembu, Gikuyu, Kiswahili and English. The other three children were from Kiamboa village, also in Kyeni location, Embu County, an environment where the language of interaction is mostly Kiembu. The study used two theories namely: Nativist Theory and The Krashens Monitor Model to analyze data. The Stories were by tape- recorded and oral interviews were used durng interactions with respondents. The Gikuyu and Kiembu nouns and verbs used by respondents were identified. The researcher sought to assess the influence that teaching using resource materials written in Gikuyu has had on the acquisition of Kiembu noun and verb words. The noun classes of all nouns were indicated. The verbs were interlinealized. The researcher identified the Gikuyu and Kiembu nouns and verbs used by the respondents.The study found out that the 6-7 year olds use only Kiembu before joining class one. This was attributed to the fact that these children are only exposed to Kiembu hence the competence in the use of Kiembu.The study further found out that the 6-7 year olds use Kiembu and Gikuyu in their conversations after they have joined class one. This was attributed to the fact that they are taught using books and other instructional materials written in Gikuyu. The study further showed that the exposure to a multilingual linguistic environment has little effect on the acquisition of Kiembu by the 6-7 year olds.
Acquisition of wh-questions in english as a second language: a study of lubukusu li speakers
(2011-12-20) Simiyu, Caleb Waswa
In this study I examine the English Interlanguage of Lubukusu L1 speakers. The sample is drawn from secondary school students in Bungoma District. All the 36 students are subjected to a written Questionnaire and an Oral interview. Using the frequency count approach, the IL features are identified and placed into the following categories: Wh- Preposing transformation Subject-Auxiliary transposing transformation Do support transformation Affix-hopping transformation. The identified features are then described using Chomsky's Standard Theory and their presence in the learners' productive data explained using Selinker's (1972, 1992) Principle cognitive processes under the Interlanguage Theory. Then, on the basis of available literature on language acquisition, the study compares the regularities in the acquisition of English as a first language and the observed order in the acquisition of English as a second language. This study also discusses the various causes of the Interlingual features observed in the data. The study has shown that the Affix hopping is the least performed transformation and Whfronting is the most performed transformation. After considering various strategies of second language learning according to Selinker's (1972, 1992) Interlanguage Theory, this study establishes the main cause of the morpho-syntactic features in the learners' IL to be the `Overgeneralization of L2 rules'. This study also establishes a marked difference in the performance of transformations between the Oral tasks and written tasks. At the linguistic level, the learners seem to perform better in Oral tasks than in written tasks. It also has shown that the length of exposure to formal instruction affects the rate and success of the learning of English as a second language. The learners seem to acquire the Wh-question syntactic structure systematically in the following order: A) Wh-fronting B) Subject-auxiliary inversion C) Do support D) Affix-hopping. This thesis is divided into six chapters. Chapter one is a general introduction to the study. Chapter two contains the Literature Review. Chapter three deals with the Methodology. Then chapter four deals with Data Presentation and Analysis. Discussions of the findings are in chapter five. Finally, the Implications, areas for further research and conclusion are contained in chapter six.
An analysis of English - Kiswahili translation of sampled pesticides instruction leaflets
(2016) Odinga, Jeniffer Naika
Accurate translation of information in the pesticides instruction leaflets is necessary in that it informs users on the intended use and directions to be followed.This enhances communication among those who can not understand instructions in the source language text. As a result, cases of misuse and mishandling of pesticides that lead to negative consequences are curbed. However, research that assesses the need for accurate translation of information from English-Kiswahili with respect to pesticides instruction leaflets in Kenya remains scarce. This study therefore sought to assess the translation from English (source text) to Kiswahili (target text) in the sampled pesticides instruction leaflets with a view to establishing the effects of mistranslation on small scale horticultural fanners in Ruiru District. In this regard, the study sought: to identify and categories the mismatches in meaning in the English- Kiswahili translation of sampled pesticides instructions leaflets, to examine the interpretation of target text by target audience and lastly to determine the effects of the mistranslations on small scale horticultural fanners. A qualitative research design is used to describe the mismatches in meaning between the source and the target texts. Data was collected from 10 purposively sampled pesticides instruction leaflets from two manufactures. This was done using content analysis technique where the researcher read through each of the sampled leaflets with a view to noting any mismatches in meaning between the source and the target texts. On the other hand, unstructured interview schedule was used to elicit data on the respondents' interpretation of the target text and the effect of this interpretation on themselves. These respondents were 20 in number and were purposively selected.The Interpretive Theory by Seleskovitch (1960-1980) is used in the analysis of the mismatches in meaning between the source and target text while the Speech Act Theory by Austin (1962) is used to analyze the respondents' interpretation of the target text and the effects of the same interpretation on themselves.This study found out that there are mismatches in meaning between the source text (English) and the target text (Kiswahili) in the sampled pesticides instruction leaflets.It was further discovered that these mismatches in meaning could be categorized into: Syntactic, Ambiguity, Addition and Omission categories. In addition, the findings indicated that the target respondents interpreted the target text at two levels. Firstly, those who interpreted the target text contrary to what the original text intended stood at 56% while those who interpreted the target text as intended by the source text were 44%. Lastly, the study found out that the negative effects experienced by the target respondents as a result of their execution of mistranslated instructions was at 33%. On the contrary, the positive effect experienced by the target respondents stood at 66%. This study consequently recommends that the translators of information in the pesticides instruction leaflets be professionals who are competent in both English and Kiswahili languages. As a result, cases of negative effects on target audience will be reduced.
An Analysis of Gikuyu Reduplication in the light of Prosodic Morphological Approach
(2013-04-19) Komu, Mary W.
Linguistic studies on Bantu languages in general and Gikuyu in particular are rather scanty compared to studies on Western languages. Theories rarely test their claims on African languages. There is a tendency to generalize what holds for English to be true in general. The need to test such theories on Gikuyu data is the driving force behind this study. The study, a Morpho- Phonological analysis of reduplication as a productive word formation process in Gikuyu applies a Morpho -Semantic Perspective to Gikuyu nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Reduplication, in linguistics, is a morphological process in which the root or stem of a word or only part of it is repeated. Reduplication is used in inflections to convey semantic functions, such as plurality, intensification and genuinity and in lexical derivation to create new words. It is often used, when a speaker adopts a tone more expressive or figurative than the ordinary speech. Reduplication is often but not exclusively, iconic in meaning. It is found in a wide range of languages and language groups, though its level of linguistic productivity varies. Reduplication is also defined as the doubling of a syllable, part of a word or a word, sometimes with modifications. As we analyse this phenomenon in Gikuyu, we find that it often goes beyond the mere suggestion of a certain playfulness or intimacy it has in some languages and often serves a crucial grammatical function. Research involves formulating concepts and generalization on a given theory. The goal of this study is three- fold: to provide an analysis of the variant patterns of reduplication; to describe the various semantic functions associated with the variant patterns, and finally to determine how Gikuyu reduplication patterns could be described using the Prosodic Morphology theoretical approach. This study has applied the tenets of Prosodic Morphology Theory to Gikuyu data. The effects of the reduplicant on the language have been explained using the same tenets. This qualitative study sampled nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs for the investigation. The data was in form of words and it revealed that there are variant patterns of reduplication in Gikuyu. Secondly, various semantic functions associated with those patterns were numbered, described and discussed. Logical deductions were drawn in relation to the behaviour of the reduplicating morphemes. Data analysis and presentation was done using principles of the Prosodic Morphology Theory. The findings of the analysis of reduplication in this study confirm that there are variant patterns of Gikuyu reduplication. Those patterns are associated with various semantic functions. The patterns are drawn from both full and partial reduplication. Distinct word classes exhibit varying semantic functions. The reduplicative morphemes that form the patterns are suffixal for full reduplication. Partial reduplication is typically prefixal. The Prosodic Morphological theoretic approach is applied to analyse Gikuyu reduplication. Our recommendations were that a similar study could be done to investigate other Bantu languages or a comparative study of Bantu languages be conducted to give an overall description pertaining to this phenomenon.
Analysis of Lexical Borrowing as a Euphemistic Strategy for Sex-Related Topics in Selected Kipsigis Songs
(Kenyatta University, 2022) Bartilol J, Jackqleline; Joyce Wangia
The study dealt with Kipsigis songs incorporating borrowed linguistic items from English and Kiswahili as the donor languages and using them metaphorically to euphemize sex-related topics. The objectives of this study include identifying and describing borrowed words used in euphemizing sensitive topics; accounting for their extended meanings based on Relevance Theory; establishing Kipsigis speaker’s attitudes towards borrowed words and accounting for these borrowed words as a politeness strategy using Politeness Theory (PT). The current study was triggered by little literature on the use of borrowed words as sex euphemisms by Kenyan indigenous languages such as Kipsigis. RT was chosen because of the concepts of context, relevance-theoretic comprehension procedure and ad hoc concept of broadening which helped in explaining meaning extension of borrowed words used figuratively to mask sex-related topics. PT was used in the current study due to the aspect of Face Saving Act (FSA) that dealt with sex euphemisms as a politeness strategy. Qualitative-descriptive design and quantitative design were used in data analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select the eight Kipsigis sex-related songs and the 20 Kipsigis native speakers aged 25-35 from Siongiroi ward so as provide the required data for analysis. Interviewing through questionnaire and non participant observation were used as tools for collecting data. The 8 songs were downloaded from the internet through Google search and saved in memory cards and flash discs then transcribed and translated to English for analysis. A total of 28 English and Kiswahili loanwords used in reference to sex-related topics were identified, categorized to sex categories and their morphological and phonological structures was given. In addition the study found out that ad hoc concept, lexical broadening and context in RT play a key role in the interpretation of extended meanings of loanwords used metaphorically as sex-related euphemisms. It was observed that Kipsigis respondents have a positive attitude towards the use of loanwords from English and Kiswahili in euphemising sensitive topics. Also the findings of the study revealed that the artists in the selected Kipsigis songs resorted to lexical borrowing as a politeness strategy serving a euphemistic function and this was fully accounted for by PT. Finally, a general summary of the study’s findings, conclusion and recommendations for further research was given.
Analysis of Non Verbal Cues among the Abasamia Community of Busia County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2015-09) Wamakobe, Dolphine Ogutu
The central factor in communication is the intelligibility that exists between the parties concerned. The concept of communication involves not only the verbal message, but the non-verbal message as well. Having intermingled with various ethnic communities, Abasamia picked up non-verbal signs of human communication which they have tried to live with over the centuries. This study sought to establish the non verbal cues used by the Abasamia community of Busia County, Kenya. In addition, the study also sought to assess how verbal cues help demystify the non-verbal cues among the Abasamia community. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify and present the nonverbal signals used by the Abasamia Community in communication; to establish the verbal cues that complement the non-verbal cues and; to interpret the choice of non-verbal cues in communication among the Abasamia Community. The study was premised on the Semiotics theory as the theoretical underpinning. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study. The study employed purposive and simple random sampling technique to sample 48 respondents who participated in the study. Data collection instruments used were photographs, interview schedule and questionnaires,using a drop-and-pick-later procedure for questionnaire and note-taking for interview guides. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics where the findings were coded,cleaned and then presented in tables, .graphs, narratives, discussions and excerpts according to themes. The findings revealed that a variety of nonverbal signs were frequently used within the Abasamia community. The respondents of the study were found to engage in nonverbal cues to communicate, repeat, complement, duplicate, assent, regulate, contradict, indicate relational standing, demonstrate and maintain cultural norms and communicate emotions. The study concludes that indeed nonverbal signals are used in communication among the Abasamia. The nonverbal cues are complemented by verbal cues to enhance reinforcement and clarity and that the choice of non-verbal signals is motivated by certain factors such as culture, norms, occasion, mood and intimacy. The study recommends among other issues documenting the use of nonverbal cues among local communities such as Abasamia as part of enhancing and preserving culture and national heritage.
An Analysis of Politeness Strategies in Gikuyu: A Case of Thika Sub-County, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2015-11) Njambi, Catherine
This study looked at politeness strategies in Gikuyu. The study identified and described the politeness strategies used by the Gikuyu in business settings. To this end, it looked at how gender and setting influence politeness strategies. The study found that Gikuyu speakers do use politeness strategies in order to save their partner’s faces. It also established that politeness strategies in Gikuyu can be accounted for using Brown and Levinson’s model of politeness. Data was collected in Thika Sub-county in Kiambu County, Kenya, from two types of business premises; namely the clothes market and boutique. The data was in the form of recorded conversations between the business people and their customers. Observations were made to cater for the forms of non-verbal communication such as handshakes. Data was then transcribed and different realizations of politeness strategies were identified and described. These included terms of address and declining politely among others. The study used the descriptive research design to analyze both the verbal and non-verbal politeness strategies. Setting and gender were seen to influence the use of politeness strategy such that some politeness strategies can only be used by male to a male and not from a male to a female. As for the setting, it was discovered that politeness strategies used depended on the context. Some politeness strategies were only used in certain contexts and not in others. It is recommended that the politeness strategies identified be included in the writing of business journals in order to enlighten the business people on ways of increasing profit.
Analysis of Sight Mistranslations of Newspaper Review Items from English to Kiembu in Wimwaro Fm Radio Station, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2021) Njeru, Juliana Karimi; Joyce Wangia; Fridah Kanana Erastus
This study sought to analyze mistranslations in the sight translation of news items from English to Kiembu in the daily nation and standard newspapers; with focus on Wimwaro F.M radio station. It sought to find out whether there are cases of mistranslations, and the effect the cases of mistranslations may have on the comprehension of the intended meaning by the listeners. This study had four objectives: the first one being, to identify and classify words and phrases that were mistranslated in the sight translation of news items from English to Kiembu in the daily nation and standard newspapers. Secondly, to describe language problems that led to mistranslations thirdly, to suggest suitable translation strategies for addressing the language problems identified and lastly to analyze the different interpretations of the mistranslations using a cross section of respondents. The general assumption was that in the sight translation of news items from English to Kiembu in the daily and standard newspapers mistranslations occur and the mistranslations lead to meaning loss. The researcher adopted the speech act theory, the interpretive theory and the pedagogical assessment model. The speech act theory was used to study the respondent’s responses in order to make certain if the perlocutionary force in the source text and target text is the same. The interpretive theory and the pedagogical assessment model helped identify and describe mistranslations in the sight translations of news items from English to Kiembu. The data obtained was categorized into grammatical and semantic errors. Each category was then described, analyzed and discussed qualitatively. The study found out that listener’s had comprehension constrains in interpreting some news items since a number of words and phrases were mistranslated, so the translation strategies used were not effective. From the findings of the study it was suggested that the sight translation of newspaper reviews could be improved. This could be done by using: meaning based translation, lexical equivalence, coinage, use of cultural equivalents, unpacking, accommodation and synonymy. A summary of the study is discussed briefly in chapter five. The recommendations for the study and suggested areas for further research are given. A conclusion for the whole study is given at the end.
An analysis of textual meaning in advertisement translated from English to Ekegusii
(2013-04-18) Maniga, Colleta; Wangia, Joyce Imali; Njoroge, Martin C.
This study offers an in-depth analysis of the lexical, grammatical and rhetorical mismatches between English advertisements and their Ekegusii translations in the light of establishing whether any of these linguistic mismatches leads to meaning loss. At the same time, the study set out to identify the possible strategies that can be used in advertising translation. A descriptive research design was adopted for this purpose. Ten advertisements were picked following purposive sampling procedure. Only those advertisements with the required features (rhetorical, grammatical and lexical) were considered. Data collected was analyzed based on an eclectic theoretical approach. Three theories, namely: The Hallidayan Systemic Functional Grammar theory, the interpretive theory and the Cultural Translation theory were used. The data collected was analyzed and discussed accordingly. The analyses revealed that there exist lexical, grammatical and rhetorical mismatches between the advertisements rendered in English and those translated into Ekegusii. It was further observed that there were major factors that led to the discrepancy between the two. Some of the factors identified include: language typology, lack I of equivalent lexis in the TT and use of ineffective translation strategies. The findings further revealed that such mismatches led to meaning loss in some of the advertisements whereas in others they never affected the meaning. At the same time, it was noted that it is possible to have effective translation only if effective translation strategies are employed. Such strategies include; adoption and paraphrase. More so, advertising agencies should employ competent translators who are well versed in the two languages in question to avoid any distortion of the intended message or miscommunicating the actual message intended.
Analysis of the interpretation of selected lexical items in Kenya constitution (2010) by Kipsigis speakers
(Kenyatta University, 2016-07) Chepkwony, Alfred Kipkoech
This study falls within the area of Analysis of Interpretation of Documents. The study is about analysis of Kipsigis speaker's interpretation of selected lexical items and phrases in the Kenya Constitution published in 2010. The main objectives of the study were to: i) identify and analyze lexical items and phrases in the constitution that were wrongly interpreted in Kipsigis. ii) describe the challenges faced in the interpretation of selected lexical items or phrases. iii) assess whether the variables of gender and age influence the interpretation of selected lexical items and phrases. The study focused mainly on the Chapter Eleven on 'Devolved Government'. The motivation of this study is hinged on the fact that ideally, interpretation from one language into another or other languages should be possible. Relevance Theory and Interpretive Theory give the various maxims interpreters or translators should obey while engaging in interpretation. Relevance theory explains aspects of inferences based on context and other elements while Interpretive Theory emphasizes on the notion of resemblance, that is, the meaning in one language is transferable to another language. The study employed qualitative research techniques in analyzing and describing the data. This study used a group of twenty respondents of class eight level of education purposely sampled in Kembu location of Bomet County, which was the area of study. This study group was sampled bearing in mind the social variables of gender and age. Another four specialized respondents were also interviewed in the process. The study also utilized a combination of tape - recording, use of questionnaires and interview schedules for data elicitation from the respondents and interviewees. The researcher presents a detailed analysis of the data collected based on the stated objectives of the study. This study has found out that some lexical items such as 'Devolution', 'Gender', 'Integrity' and 'Transition' among others in the constitution were wrongly interpreted in Kipsigis; language differences, ambiguity, word borrowing, lack of equivalents and nativisation were some of the challenges in interpretation of the lexical items in Kipsigis; that gender but not age had a significant influence in the interpretation of the selected lexical items. In addition to other recommendations, this study further proposes that analysis of interpretation of lexical items in the constitution into other languages can also be studied. In this study the 'Interpretation' was taken as synonymous with comprehension such that, correct interpretation meant that the studied population comprehended the elicited lexical items better.
Aspects of the tone patterns of the noun phrase in the Kikamba language: an optimality approach
(Kenyatta university, 2023-10) Mutua, Everlyn Mbinya; Gerry Ayieko
This study was aimed at studying the aspects of the tone patterns of the Kikamba noun phrases using the Optimality Theory. The study attempted to establish the tone processes and patterns in the Kikamba Noun phrases especially the Machakos dialect. Kikamba MDK, just like any other language has dialectical variations and therefore our study focused on Machakos variety. This study also aimed at establishing the functions of the tone processes are in the Kikamba language especially the MDK noun phrase. It further attempted to establish some of the Optimality Theory constraints that govern the tone processes in the MDK noun phrase. The study also tried to analyze the tone processes and present them in tableau using the constraints of Optimality Theory. The motivation of the study stems from the presumption that Optimality Theory is a universal theory that can account for the analysis of tone in any language. The study targeted residents of Mumbuni location, Machakos County. Systemic convenient sampling method was used to select 10 residents from the target population, from which 5 male respondents, 5 female respondents was selected randomly. Tape recorded interview schedules were used to collect data from the selected respondents. Qualitative data analysis technique was used to analyze the data. The study outcome was presented by using textual description, figures and tables. The study revealed that there were different tone processes that occur in the MDK NPs. The different functions of tone in the MDK nouns were also discussed and the various tone processes were evaluated and ranked using OT approach.
Aspects of the Tone Patterns of the Noun Phrase in the Kikamba Language: an Optimality Approach
(Kenyatta University, 2023-10) Mutua, Everlyn Mbinya; Gerry Ayieko
Assessing Students' Linguistics Error in Job Application Letters: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Nyeri County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023-11) Miriti, Joseph Mutugi; Purity M. Nthiga
Assessment of English reading comprehension of pupils completeing primary education: a case study of Meru municipality zone
(2012-06-14) Kirigia, Eliud Kiruji
This study was undertaken with the aim of providing information on the level of the ability of pupils completing primary education to read messages written in English with understanding. The study attempted to find out how broad their language experience was, by assessing their ability to read directions on modern technological items. The study also tried to find out their ability to read any other information intended for public utility. Psycholinguistic theory of reading was employed. This was necessary as it was felt it would best explain the phenomenon of reading comprehension. The data were collected from 120 standard eight pupils in four primary schools of Meru municipality zone. They were assessed on a passage, sets of directions and other messages written in English. The assessment discriminated strongly between the pupils who did well and those who did not, and this indicated a wide range of proficiency levels among them. The ones in the lower half of the score band, in fact those for whom primary education may be terminal, showed lack of sufficient comprehension of common messages written in English. This work is presented in five chapters. Chapter one introduces the work, giving reasons for it. Chapter two reviews related literature while chapter three deals with the methodology employed. Chapter four deals with data analysis and interpretation and finally chapter five gives conclusions and recommendations.
An assessment of reading abilities of class four learners in English in four selected schools in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(2014) Njabanl, Emis Kainyu
The importance of reading skills in today' s society is great since one has to rely on reading to get infunnation from many sources. This study focuses on assessment of learners' reading abilities in rural areas ofMaara district in Tharaka-Nithi County. This will provide insights as to how and why learners' need to be assessed to determine their reading abilities during their early grades in primary schools since the main objective of this study is to assess the reading abilities of class four learners in rural areas. Other objectives of this study are; to assess reading readiness in using English as the language of instruction, and to determine challenges faced by class four pupils in reading of English. The proposed study will use EGRA sub-tasks in collecting data The bottom up theory of reading by Flesch and Gough (1985) is used in the proposed study in order to achieve the objectives. The proposed study will use qualitative research design. The sample size will include 24 respondents who will be sampled purposively and systematically. Data will be analyzed and presented using Microsoft Excel pivot tables and charts. The proposed study will also give possible recommendations to teachers and education ministry on the best suited methods of instruction when teaching reading skins. Teachers are also recommended to change their medtc.d.s of assessing reading abilities of learners
Attitude Among Ekegusii Radio Listeners Towards Indirect Linguistic Sexist Expressions in Selected Egesa and Minto Fm Call- In Shows
(Kenyatta University, 2020-11) Nyakundi, Naftal
Significant achievements have been made by feminists in challenging direct linguistic sexism by suggesting progressive and alternative ways language can be used to positively represent women. However, this has not hindered sexist individuals from continuing with their discrimination against women. They have come up with ways of strategically drawing on language to indirectly do so. The purpose of this study was to investigate attitude among Ekegusii radio listeners towards indirect linguistic sexist expressions in selected Egesa and Minto FM call-in shows. Rimore call-in show on Egesa FM and Enia Amagogi call-in show on Minto FM were the focus of the study. The specific objectives of this study were: to identify some of the indirect sexist expressions that are conveyed through the two call-in shows, to examine some of the ways Ekegusii language is strategically drawn on by sexist speakers in these call-in shows to indirectly discriminate against Gusii women, and to examine the attitudes of Ekegusii radio listeners towards some of the indirect sexist expressions in the shows. The study focused on four ways Ekegusii language is strategically drawn on by sexist individuals to indirectly discriminate against women. These were: presupposition, humour, collocation and visibility. The overall aim of the study was to collect data that highlight the problem so that long term solutions can be formulated. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect ten indirect linguistic sexist expressions as data from each of the call- in shows. The expressions were drawn from four gendered domains: relationships, politics, workplace, and home. Tape recording was used to gather data from the call-in shows. Data was analyzed to show how speakers of these expressions draw on Ekegusii strategically to indirectly discriminate against women. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered to twenty five female and twenty five male listeners of the shows in Marani Sub-county of Kisii County in Western Kenya to examine respondents‟ attitudes towards the indirect sexist expressions. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for this study. Data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods in order to arrive at a final deduction of the attitudes of Ekegusii radio listeners towards the indirect sexist expressions. This study was guided by Third Wave Feminism Theory whose proponent is Rebecca Walker. The theory is able to handles the fluidity about and within sexism. The study found that there is indirect linguistic sexism in these call-in shows. It was also discovered in this study that Ekegusii is strategically drawn on by individuals to either consciously or unconsciously discriminate against women. Lastly, the study found out that Ekegusii radio listeners hold varying attitudes towards indirect linguistic sexist utterances in the call-in shows. The study concluded that age determines whether individuals perceive utterances as sexist. Majority of younger respondents (particularly between ages 18-39) were more readily to recognize the indirect sexism underlying the expressions than older respondents.
An autosegmental analysis of vowel compensatory lengthening in Ekegusii
(2012-04-03) Komenda, Samwel; Ruth W. Ndungu; Maroko, Geoffrey Mokua
This thesis presents a multi-tiered analysis of vowel compensatory lengthening in Ekegusii, a Bantu language spoken in south western Kenya by about 1.7 million people. A synchronic evidence for hiatus resolution strategies is provided in order to meet the following objectives: to identify and describe the vowels that are lengthened compensatorily in Ekegusii, to determine the morphophonemic processes that trigger compensatory lengthening in Ekegusii, to investigate the role of the Ekegusii syllable structure in determining compensatory lengthening and to find out how Autosegmental Phonology Theory accounts for the process. To achieve the above objectives, the study adopted a qualitative research design. Data in the form of nominals and verbals were purposively sampled from four Ekegusii texts. The researcher relied on his native speaker intuition and verification from other native speakers to purposively sample the data used in the study. A word list was created from this selection and then presented to four other native speakers of the language for verification of the pronunciation. The speech of the independent reviewers was audio recorded. The analyses in this study have employed a dynamic, non-linear approach to phonological representations as advanced in Autosegmental Phonology Theory and CV Phonology. The findings of the study have revealed that all the seven basic Ekegusii vowels undergo compensatory lengthening when their phonetic environments are altered. Vowel compensatory lengthening is further brought out as a surface realisation of the operation of the morphophonemic processes of glide formation, upper-mid vowel raising, vowel deletion and prenasalisation which form a conspiracy to eliminate ill-formed sequences created by the morphological process of affixation. The height of the first vowel and whether it is followed by another vowel or a consonant as well as the type of consonant determines which strategy. is used to eliminate the hiatus. The changes occasioned by the application of the above morphophonemic processes are viewed as resyllabification operations. The processes occur due to the requirement to parse words into Ekegusii' s CV syllable structure. Within an Autosegmental Phonology framework, such changes have been looked at as the effect of disassociating segments from their timing tier positions and reassociating the empty timing tiers to nearby segments. That length has the ability of hopping from one timing tier to another, point to its independence as a suprasegmental feature. While only a fraction of the surface realizations of vowel sequences is described in this study, it represents a crucial addition to the literature on Ekegusii prosodic analysis. The researcher recommends that writers of Ekegusii texts include the aspect of compensatory lengthening in their writing to facilitate effective reading in the language. Research into the teaching of segmental and suprasegmental aspects of Ekegusii in primary schools in Gusii be carried out to find out the teachers' knowledge of this aspect of Ekegusii phonology. Further research is also needed to account for compensatory lengthening in all the word classes and phonological phrases in Ekegusii and closely related languages.
Availability, acqusition and use of teaching / learning resources of English language in primary schools in Kiambaa division
(2012-02-28) Njiiri, Winfred Nyamatu
This is a simple survey on the availability, utilization and acquisition of resources in the teaching of English Language in primary schools. Main emphasis was to establish which of the resources were available and accessible to the pupils and teachers, their selection and use, how they were acquired, whether teachers were inserviced in the use of resources and whether there were problems in usage. This study was done in some primary schools in Kiambaa Division Kiambu District. Out of 47 schools only six were randomly selected and studied in detail. Due to lack of time the researcher could not study a bigger sample. Three research instruments were used to gather data. A questionnaire for teachers of English whose aim was to collect information on the importance teachers attach to the use of resources and how they use the available resources. English teachers in standard seven and eight randomly selected form Kiambaa Division filled the questionnaire. An observation schedule was used to collect information on how teachers and pupils use resources in the teaching/learning situation. Six lessons were observed by the researcher to counter check information obtained from the questionnaire. A checklist was compiled to indicate the available resources in the schools studied. It was found that teachers teaching English had taught if for a period ranging from three years to over 10 years. Therefore they were experienced and majority were aged below forty years. A limited range of resources were available like the Primary English, the chalkboard and a few supplementary books. A few resources were improvised like maps, diagrams, charts and posters. As a result, few of those resources were accessible to learners. Lack of finances and materials for improvisation of resources contributed to inaccessibility of resources to the pupils. Topic of study, lesson objectives, age of the learners, teachers guide, recommendations and availability of materials were some of the criteria teachers cited for selection of teaching and learning resources. The study also found that resources were bought by the school and parents and that teachers improvised resources and some were donations. Some teachers attended inservice courses which they found helpful in showing them the use of resources. Majority of teachers relied heavily on the teachers guide and the chalk board. Teachers either used the individual model or group but indicated that it was difficult when they wanted to use supplementary books as those were few. Community resources were not being utilized at all. The newspapers/magazines were neither available to the teachers nor pupils. Learners had absolutely no information on the Kenya Library Service (KNLS). Various recommendations were made for educational policy and practice in Kenya and a few research suggestions made on the basis of the findings.

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