Language Use in “Ngasya” Speech Event in the Akamba Community
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Date
2023
Authors
Mutunga, Ngina Carolyne
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating language use in Ngasya Speech Event in Kibwezi East,
Mbooni East and Makueni sub-counties of Makueni County. It is a cultural event in the
Kamba community done by a man’s family in honour of a married woman in her maternal
home for the purpose of appreciating the woman’s family for gifting the man’s family with
a wife. The study focused on uniqueness of selected lexical items and sentence structures
collected from speeches, songs and conversations, as data occurring during the Ngasya
Speech Event. A sample of two Ngasya Speech Event from each study area was selected
and an analysis done on their language use in these events. Data for the study was obtained
through tape recordings, observations and the use of questionnaires. The tape recorded
spontaneous spoken language was transcribed and the extracts of the transcribed text
studied. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to six (6) Ngasya Speech Event
participants. The questionnaire was to complement the data collected through the
observation method in which selected lexical items and sentence structures were used
differently in Ngasya Speech Event compared to other speech events like weddings and
funerals. The data collected was correlated with the social variables of age, sex, rural-urban
dichotomy in the six Ngasya Speech Events, two at Kibwezi, two at Kathonzweni and two
at Makueni sub counties within Makueni County as shown in the study detailed in this
document. The findings from these analyses were used to explain language use in Ngasya
Speech Event. Through the data, it was necessary to explain the rhetorical structure of
Ngasya Speech Event, to describe its typical lexical features and to establish how the
Linguistic Relativity theory and Communicative Competence theory account for language
use in the discourse in this kind of event. The data was analyzed through both qualitative
and quantitative approaches and presented in form of percentages and tables in line with
the objectives of this study. Findings indicated Ngasya Speech Event is characterized by a
rhetorical structure made up of events and activities that occur in predictable stages.
Further, there are typical lexical items that are used during the Ngasya Speech Event. These
have been grouped according to the various place where these lexical items and sentence
structures have been used. These lexical items present in Ngasya Speech Event are selected
and rhetorically arranged for the purpose of delivery in either a song or a speech. Arising
from the outcome of this study, we suggest that further research be carried out in other
events in the Kamba community like beer parties, weddings and funeral ceremonies to
investigate how language is used with communicative competence. The study found out
that there is a clear rhetorical restructure of Ngasya Speech Event which can be established
rhetorically. It was further found out that there are typical lexical features of Ngasya
Speech Event which are different in different Kamba contexts. It was also found out that
the theory of linguistic relativity accounts for language use and message conveyed in
Ngasya Speech Event. Participants of Ngasya Speech Event were found to use words
according to the different contexts and their environment in line with Communicative
Competence Theory. Finally, the study recommends that this study be integrated in the
Kenyan Competence Based Curriculum as it provide some data that may be used for
material preparation and design for the implementation of the Competence Based
Curriculum in Primary schools.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in English and Linguistics of Kenyatta University, April, 2023.
Keywords
Language Use, Ngasya, Speech Event, Akamba Community