Mbinu za Lugha Katika Mikakati ya Mawasiliano Kwenye Mahakama ya Mazingira na Ardhi, Kisumu

Abstract

Swahili

Lengo la makala hii ni kuchunguza utendaji wa mbinu za lugha ndani ya mikakati ya mawasiliano katika kesi za mizozo kwenye Mahakama ya Juu ya Mazingira na Ardhi ya Jiji la Kisumu, na jinsi mwingiliano huo huathiri mawasiliano katika mahakama hii. Utafiti uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Ujihusishaji kama ilivyoendelezwa na Giles et al. (1991) ambayo ilitumika kuchambua namna washiriki katika mawasiliano ya mahakama hufanya mabadiliko ya kimaongezi katika mbinu za lugha kupitia dhana za makutano na mwachano katika mawasiliano ili kuimarisha maelewano au kuchochea mizozo ya kimawasiliano. Data ilikusanywa kwenye Mahakama ya Juu ya Mazingira na Ardhi ya Jiji la Kisumu. Utafiti ulilenga mawasiliano ya kesi sita zilizokuwa zimeratibiwa kusikizwa katika mahakama hii mwezi wa Oktoba 2019, ambapo sampuli ya kesi nne iliteuliwa kimakusudi kati ya hizo kwa kuwa ziliendeshwa kwa lugha ya Kiswahili. Mbinu ya uchunguzi usio wa kushiriki ilitumika katika kukusanya data. Baada ya data kukusanywa, ilipangwa kisha kuchanganuliwa kupitia mbinu ya uhakiki wa yaliyomo. Matokeo yamewasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo. Makala hii imebainisha kwamba mawakili, hakimu na walalamishi katika mahakama hii hutumia lugha kwa njia ambayo huathiri mchakato mzima wa upatikanaji wa haki. Makala hii ilichunguza namna lugha inavyotumika kama chombo cha utatuzi wa mizozo kulingana na mbinu za lugha zilizotumika. Matokeo yanabainisha kuwa mbinu za kuchanganya na kubadili lugha pamoja na takriri ziliashiria makutano yaliyoimarisha maelewano baina ya washiriki nayo maswali balagha yakajitokeza kama mbinu ya mwachano iliyochochea migogoro ya kimawasiliano mahakamani.

English

The aim of this article is to examine the performance of linguistic features manifested in the communication strategies employed in dispute cases at the Kisumu Environment and Land High Court, and how this interaction affects communication in this court. The study was guided by Communication Accommodation Theory as developed by Giles et al. (1991). This theory asserts that interlocutors adjust their use of language depending on the context of communication. Data were collected at the Kisumu Environment and Land High Court. The study population consisted of six cases that were scheduled for hearing at this court in the month of October 2019, from which a sample of four cases was purposively as they were conducted in Kiswahili language. Non-participant observation was employed as a data collection method. Data were organised and analysed using content analysis. The findings have been presented descriptively. The results of this study show that the judges, lawyers and plaintiffs use language in ways that either trigger communicative conflicts or enhance mutual understanding among them. This impacts greatly the process of administration of justice. The article has demonstrated that language functions as an important tool for conflict resolution but depends on the linguistic features employed by the participants. The findings highlight the importance of integrating linguistic features within the broader communicative strategies by judicial institutions so as to foster enhanced cooperation and understanding among the participants, thereby contributing to positive interactions amongst the interlocutors.

 Key words: Language features, communication strategies, courtroom, accommodation, conflicts.