A case study in language contact : English, Kiswahili and Luhyia amongst the Luhyia people of Kenya

The aim of this research is to provide some ground work in the study of Luhyia socio-linguistics. A fair amount of research on indigenous forms of English has been conducted in South Africa as well as West Africa. According to Schmied (1991), Nigeria is covered by several books and articles on English, but other areas of Africa are relatively blank. Schmied himself has produced primary work on English in East Africa. Studies of language maintenance and language shift have been undertaken by eminent scholars such as Brenzinger (1992), Eastman (1990, 1992). However, it is Myers-Scotton's pioneering research on code-switching among the Luhyia speakers undertaken in the 1980s that proyided the initial inspiration and further foundation for this thesis. An attempt is made here to build on Myers-Scotton's insightful observations on code-switching among Luhyia speakers. In addition this thesis explores the type of English in use among the Luhyia, and its effects on the indigenous language with which it has come into contact.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Linguistics

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Shivachi, Calebi I

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mesthrie, Rajend

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9876

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9876