Journal of Languages and Linguistics (JLL)

Learning-induced errors in the written English texts of hearing-impaired learners in primary school

Antony Somba Mang’oka — 2024-01-31

This paper sought to identify and describe the learning-induced errors in the written English of hearing-impaired learners in primary schools. The paper also establishes if there are significant differences between the learning-induced errors made by the hearing impaired pupils (HI) and those made by the hearing pupils (HP) in their written English texts. The study was based on data collected from the written texts of 30 hearing-impaired (HI) pupils and 30 hearing pupils in standard six, seven and eight. The hearing pupils in this study formed the comparison group. Thirty HI pupils and 30 hearing pupils were sampled from Ngala Special School and St Paul's Primary School, respectively. In both schools, stratified random sampling was used. The study then employed simple random sampling to select ten pupils per class in each school with equal gender representation. The researcher used a free composition, a picture story and a cloze passage for data elicitation. Corder’s Error Analysis theory and Selinker’s Interlanguage theory were used to guide the study. From the data analysed in this study, it is evident that both HI and HP make learning-induced errors. These errors, however, differ in quality and quantity. The HI made more Learning-induced errors than their hearing counterparts did. This implied that the HI group had not yet acquired grammatical and lexical competence. The findings of this study will not only add more knowledge to studies done in applied linguistics but will also be of pedagogical value to educationists, teachers and the Ministry of Education in general.

Literacy practices among Kapsabet residents

Joseph Patrick Kitur — 2024-02-27

This study sought to examine literacy practices among Kapsabet residents. This is because different literacy practices among communities in multilingual contexts remain under investigation. This is the case obtained in Kapsabet Township, Nandi County, Kenya. The residents in this township are largely multilingual, with a majority being speakers of English, Kiswahili and Kalenjin. The aim of the proposed study was to examine literacy practices in the everyday life of these residents. The study adopted a largely qualitative research design underpinned by Street’s theory of literacy as a social practice. A social perspective on literacy focuses on the ways in which people employ literacy in their daily lives. The study used a purposive stratified sample of 20 respondents obtained in specific areas of the township. Data was collected using the following research instruments: face-to-face interviews, observations, literacy diaries, documentation and inbuilt audio recorders. The results indicate significant ways in which Kalenjin residents of Kapsabet use literacy in their everyday lives. The study is expected to benefit scholars in applied linguistics, policymakers, and the general public by allowing them to use the study's results in their operations.

The power of words in political discourses of the general election campaigns in Kenya

Josephine Mulindi Khaemba — 2024-04-15

This paper examines the power of words in political campaign discourses in Kenyan media. The study focuses on the several meanings of concepts employed by politicians in the run-up to the general elections of August 2022. Discursive practices and linguistic tactics are employed in discourses to achieve a particular political, social, psychological or linguistic goal. Critical theories of language see the use of language as a form of social practice. Critical discourse analysis claims that major social and political processes and movements have a partly linguistic and partly social and political character. Social relations of power are linguistic and discursive in nature. They are exercised and negotiated in discourse. The study utilised Mitchel Foucault’s approaches to political discourse and Norman Fairclough’s critical approaches to discourse analysis. Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of critical discourse analysis was employed in the study. First is the analysis of text; words are a part of the community, and texts contain interpretation. Secondly, language is viewed as a discursive practice, which is the production or the constitution of text and, finally, the analysis of language as a social practice, which includes the analysis of norms. The study sought to contribute to studies dealing with the discursive construction of power and ideology in political discourses. The study demonstrates that Kenyans do not vote independently; rather, they are persuaded to vote through the power exerted by the rhetoric of the politicians and the professional media practices that assist their presentation.

The role of joining words and hashtags techniques in advancing ideological constructs and identity formation in women's magazines: A critical analysis

Job Maoncha — 2024-08-16

This journal article explores hashtags and joining words as linguistic tools in women's magazines to advance ideologies and identities. Drawing upon findings from the study on the discourse of ideology and identity among women, the study identifies a gap in the analysis of linguistic strategies in women's magazines and addresses this gap using data from The Parents Magazine in Kenya. This magazine focuses on issues of Kenyan women's lives, and its content includes stories on relationships, inspiration, family, health education, real-life experiences, spiritual guidance, social heroes and models, and financial management. Data from the study revealed that this magazine employed various linguistic strategies in their textual content. Therefore, this paper explored hashtags and joining words and their impact. Through a qualitative research design and utilising Critical Discourse Analysis and Multi-modal Discourse Analysis theories, the research focused on articles highlighting movements addressing femicide in Kenya and environmental activism. It analysed the use of movement names, hashtags, and joining words. Findings highlight the strategic use of joining words and hashtags in constructing ideologies within the context of activism, environmentalism, and mental health, making complex narratives accessible, engaging to broader audiences, forming collective identities, and framing issues. The research underscores the transformative potential of joining words and hashtags in advancing ideological agendas and fostering collective action. It recommends further interdisciplinary exploration of linguistic features in media, emphasising their sociocultural implications and potential for driving social change.

Challenges encountered during the interpretation and translation of sermons in the Pentecostal churches in Vihiga County

Violet Sande Marotse — 2024-08-26

This study sought to analyse challenges encountered during interpreting and translating of sermons in the Pentecostal churches in Vihiga County. Interpretation and translation are a reflective professional undertaking fraught with linguistics challenges. The challenge is pronounced during sermon delivery in Pentecostal churches, where untrained volunteer interpreters and translators predominantly undertake interpretation and translation. Marianne’s Interpretive Theory of Translation guided the study. The descriptive research design was employed, and the target population consisted of the clergy, translators, interpreters and congregants drawn from the Pentecostal churches in Vihiga County. Purposive sampling was used to select five preachers, interpreters, translators and congregants from five Pentecostal churches in Vihiga County. Audio-video recording, guided interviews and structured observations were adopted to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content. The results showed that the interpreters and translators faced numerous challenges during sermon interpretation and translation. The challenges included inadequate language and biblical knowledge, the use of complex terminologies, pronunciation problems and unpredictable preaching styles, insufficient preparation, cultural differences and inability to fulfil community language expectations, lengthy utterances and prolonged elicitations, the use of independent and non-contextual translation and lack of synonyms for different linguistic features. It is recommended that interpreters and translators undergo adequate training in interpretation and translation to enhance their ability to deal with the dynamics of translation and interpretation of the sermons in Pentecostal churches.

Factors contributing to gender differences in language use during Bukusu marriage ceremonies in Bungoma County

Fangline Nekesa Nalianya — 2024-09-03

This study sought to examine the factors contributing to gender differences in language use during Bukusu marriage ceremonies in Bungoma County. Discursive practices provide context through which language is used. Some of the cultural practices, such as Bukusu customary marriages, which provide context for language use, more often than not perpetuate gender differences in language. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 respondents in four marriage ceremonies. Data was collected from all four key stages of a Bukusu marriage ceremony on a cross-sectional basis. Data was collected through direct observations during marriage ceremonies, in-depth interviews with respondents, and focus group discussions. The study was informed by Ruth Wodak’s Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA). The data was translated, transcribed and analysed to identify the factors behind gender differences in language use. The findings indicate that gender differences in language use during Bukusu customary marriage ceremonies in the Kimilili sub-county are shaped by societal expectations, cultural heritage, traditional gender roles, socialisation and gendered power dynamics. The study is important as it explores gendered language in Bukusu marriage ceremonies, shedding light on how language reinforces gender norms. It will fill a research gap and contribute to promoting gender equality by informing strategies for inclusive language use in various settings.

Implications of tragic experiences on symbolic power: The case of displaced persons in Kenya

Nelson Ndiritu — 2024-09-10

Displacement of human populations is a common phenomenon from natural and human causes. Conflict and natural disasters such as floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, out-breaks of diseases are among the regular culprits. Victims of displacement experience dramatic changes in their life situations a common denominator being temporary and at times permanent deprivation of crucial resources for their daily lives. This affects their place in the social hierarchy among members of their host community. The displaced persons in Kenya following the 2007-2008 post-election violence were uprooted from their homes and deprived of their property. They lived in camps and with well-wishers depending on assistance from others. How did this affect their social station in life and how did they manifest? This paper examines the effect of displacement on the perception and treatment of the affected persons by their host communities. The paper utilizes qualitative methods to analyze the discourse of the displaced persons, providing a deeper understanding of their experiences upon displacement. The paper was guided by insights from Critical Discourse Analysis and Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of capital, symbolic power and symbolic violence. It brings to light the sudden changes in the perceptions and social evaluations of the victims and their response to the undesired changes. The paper comes to the conclusion that the new life status leads to new self-evaluations as well as the evaluations by those around them and the displaced persons lose symbolic capital and symbolic power and come to the receiving end of symbolic violence. In so doing, the paper illuminates the plight of the displaced persons beyond the evident material loses and recommends interventions to address these effects.