A Linguistic Study of Kenyan Political Party Names, Symbols, Colours and Slogans

Abstract

This thesis is a linguistic study of KPP names, KPP symbols, KPP colours and KPP slogans. It establishes that linguistic resources are used by political operators in design of the KPP tools. This is achieved by deliberately manipulating language at the phonological, morphological, lexical, syntactic, semantic, sociolinguistic and textual levels. These linguistic manipulations realise KPP mixed code names, sense relations, associative meanings, political discourses, abbreviations manipulations etc. Given its broad nature, this study is anchored on several theories including critical discourse analysis as it applies to political discourse, the semantic field theory, the symbolic interaction theory, the semiotics theory, the X-bar theory, the revised B and K universal theory and Whorfian linguistics relatively theory. Finally, the study employed a mixed methods approach which entails both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the non-probability samples. Interviews, observation and archival (documentary reviews) methods are applied as tools for data collection. Data analysis is done using the MS-Excel 2010, matrix language frame (MLF), SPSS, and content analysis. This research finds a clear phonological, lexical, syntactic, sociolinguistic-code mix- and semantic manipulation of language in the crafting, designing, choosing and deployment of KPP names, symbols, slogans and colours thus necessitating an arrival at valid and appropriate findings and conclusions upon which research recommendations and generalisations are made.