A genealogical reconstruction of any language is geared towards the formulation of a protolanguage. The reconstruction of a target language is largely dependent on the current use of its presumed varieties or dialects. In this case, the genealogical reconstruction of the ProtoLuluhyia language was possible through consideration of its dialects. The existing literature shows that genealogical reconstruction of a proto-language for all Luluhyia dialects had not been done. It was, therefore, nec...
Abstract/Overview Vocabulary is widely considered as one of the most essential elements of a language. It plays a pivotal role in determining whether or not learners will communicate in a language they have learnt successfully. Extensive knowledge of English vocabulary is believed to be important for the four macro skills thus; reading, listening, speaking and writing. In fact, our lack of English vocabulary knowledge is more likely to result in great difficulty in expressing ourselves both ...
Abstract/Overview Cameron (2001) argues that linguistic forms can be manipulated to suit context and serve intended purposes. Although there is evidence of widespread coverage of proceedings of the English Premier League ( EPL) by media in Kenya and Kenyan football fans‟ deep interest in the EPL, few studies analysing how the Kenyan media presents the proceedings in the EPL have been done. This study focuses on linguistic features employed by Radio Jambo presenters in their presentation of...
Abstract/Overview Anaphors refer to expressions that are not capable of independent reference or meaning and cannot be used deictically. The Binding theory (BT), a sub-theory of the Government and Binding (GB) theory states that Condition A requires that an anaphor should find an antecedent in a local domain, while Condition B requires that a pronominal should be free within the same clause. Long-distance anaphors (LDAs) are found outside the local domain, where they are ambiguous and theref...
Abstract/Overview The significance of reading skills in the development of English as a second language cannot be underrated. The Kenyan secondary schools curriculum for English requires a student to have developed competence in reading skills by the time they sit for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations at form four. However, some students do not meet the standards which are required by the Kenyan secondary schools English curriculum even though they have done the fourth fo...
Abstract/Overview Communication is the essence of human interaction. The nature of communication is dependent on interaction between two or more individuals. Construction sites in Gem sub-County, Kenya bring together a variety of people of diverse interests, lifestyles and specializations. Construction workers engage in communication processes which exhibit diversity, since they apparently have a specific language for the in-group which is explicitly understood by themselves to the exclusion...
Abstract/Overview One of the ways in which people communicate in a society is through songs. Benga music is a genre of Kenyan popular music. Dholuo benga love songs have been in existence from 1960s to date. Aspects of language, like metaphors, usually vary over time due to external and internal influences on a speech community. The different linguistic expressions of love in Dholuo benga love songs are evidence of various conceptualizations of love over time by the benga artistes. Language ...
Abstract/Overview Death has been argued to be a “fear-based taboo” in which different fears co-exist namely; fear of the loss of loved ones, fear of corruption of the body, fear of evil spirits and fear of what comes with death. Man has traditionally avoided talking about the subject of death using explicit terms. Their avoidance to speak freely about human mortality may be making obituary writers to resort to a variety of linguistic devices in order to compliment the departed and show r...
Abstract/Overview ABSTRACT Kenya’s elections have been marred with conflict since 1992, with Tarakwa being hit the most. However, in 2013, conflict was contained. While conflict management in 2013 was attributed to many factors, the role of language is tacit. The present study illuminated the relationship between language, conflict management and Kenya’s 2013 presidential elections. The aim of the study was to analyze the lexico-pragmatic interpretation of conflict management in 2013 Ken...
Abstract/Overview Lunyore is a Luhyia dialect spoken by Banyore people who live in Emuhaya District in Vihiga County and Maseno Division in Kisumu County. Maseno Division is a multilingual area where a range of languages are spoken. On one hand, Kiswahili and English are used as national and official languages respectively. On the other hand, are Dholuo and Lunyore that serve as mother tongues. Language choice and maintenance has become a common phenomenon in intercultural settings. Bilingua...
Abstract: It has been observed that the low academic performance of trainees at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre has been on the increase at alarming rate without any proven reasons Malwa (2018). This may be the case in other vocational training centres. Thus, this study examined the influence of English as a Second Language on trainees’ academic performance at Eenhana Vocational Training Centre in Namibia. The study, therefore, tried to answer these questions: (a) What factors in E...
ABSTRACT The study was on perception of listeners and effectiveness of translation in Radio Gotel Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria. The following objectives guided the study. i) To examine the level of listeners perception of language translation at Gotel Radio station in Yola, Adamawa state. ii) To determine the level of effectiveness of language translation at Gotel Radio station Yola, Adamawa state. The study used frequency and percentage to analyze the demographic characteristic of the respon...
ABSTRACT The study on background knowledge and comprehension of communally constructed texts. A case study of Runyankole songs in lower classes of primary schools in Bushenyi district was conducted in three government primary schools. The study was guided by the following objectives;To determine the role of background knowledge in understanding of Runyankole songs, to document the different types of Runyankole songs sung by pupils in lower primary schools, to determine the pupils‘ level of ...
The present study is a descriptive survey of the pedagogic process of ESL writing in selected secondary school classes in Kenya. The study describes the input provided by teachers with regard to writing in the ESL classes, explores the steps in the writing process followed by the learners, uncovers teacher feedback provision practices and finally surveys learners‟ reactions to the writing lessons and to the feedback. The motivation for the study was the continued poor performance in the K.C...
ABSTRACT This study set out with three objectives. First was to establish whether the information on cancer was physically available to the Kenyan public. Secondly was to ascertain whether the public was able to linguistically access the information availed to them. Thirdly was to identify the kind of language and cultural challenges encountered during face-to-face communication between health practitioners and the public. The research was guided by Bachman and Palmer’s Communicative Langu...