In-group and out-group use of language among matatu crew; A case study of Meru Town

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the implications of in-group and out-group language use among Matatu crew/workers in Meru town. It sought to find out why Matatu crew use in-group and out-group language and its social implications on the passengers. The study has given structural morpho-syntactic analysis of the argot used as in-group language by the crew and related it to Kimeru, Kiswahili and English. The study targeted matatu crew at Mikinduri bus termini and their passengers. The researcher used tape-recording, direct observation and unstructured interviews to analyze the in-group and out-group languages. The study utilized qualitative research techniques. Speech accommodation theory (SAT) theoretical approach was applied. The study sought to add to the growing knowledge of code switching and provided insights on the motivating factors behind the use of argots.