A Sociolinguistic Account of Language Loyalty among Kamba Speakers in Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County
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Date
2025-11
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This sociolinguistic study examined language loyalty among speakers of an indigenous language in Kenya. The study dealt with the preservation of the Kikamba language and culture among Kikamba speakers in Yatta sub-county, a rural area in Machakos County. The objectives of the study were to identify the language use patterns among the Kikamba speakers in different domains in Yatta sub-county, establish the effect of age on Kikamba language usage across different domains in Yatta sub-county, and lastly to determine the perceptions and attitudes of Kikamba speakers in Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County, toward their mother tongue. The study was grounded in two theoretical frameworks: Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory and Domain Theory. The research design consisted of mixed methods, since the questions raised by the research required the use of both qualitative and quantitative data. At first, the semi-structured interviews were implemented to research emotions and viewpoints among the participants, which then led to the use of structured questionnaires for recording the patterns of language use across the different domains. Furthermore, participant observations were conducted parallelly to provide the researchers with scattered insights into the world of everyday language practices. The research considered the language practices not only of the younger Kikamba speakers (those aged 18 to 25 years) but also of the older Kikamba speakers (those above 50 years old) in order to give a complete picture of how the language lives among the Kikamba speakers in Yatta and to provide an idea of the language loyalty in the region. The language use patterns of the respondents, as per the research, revealed that Kikamba is the first language in family interactions which again signals its great use in domestic communication. Nevertheless, apart from the younger speakers, who were quite a few, all the others had already made the switch to Kiswahili in home. This in turn, pointed to the fact that Kiswahili has already gotten quite a strong hold increasing its sphere from educational institutions and media to the whole societal interaction area. Besides, the study found that age is a determining factor with regard to the language use patterns among the various domains. While the older respondents mostly used Kikamba, especially during family and community contacts, it still is a strong sign of cultural attachment and language continuity. On the other hand, the younger participants showed a stronger tendency to use Kiswahili and English, particularly in educational, social, and professional contexts, while keeping Kikamba for home use. Still, this pattern does not imply that the younger speakers have a negative view of Kikamba. Instead, their ongoing use of the language in family settings indicates a deep cultural bond and an acknowledgment of its role in identity and heritage preservation. These results demonstrate the variety of language use in different contexts, the influence of age on communication habits, and the gradual shift of linguistic identity within the community.
Description
A Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (English and Linguistics) of Kenyatta University, November 2025.
Supervisor
1. Hilda Kebeya