Dominant Languages in a Plural Society: English and Kiswahili in Post-Colonial East Africa

Abstract

Within the regional constellation of languages in East Africa English and Kiswahili have been the most influential trans-ethnic languages. The sociopolitical dynamics of these languages, however, have varied from one country to another along three interrelated parameters: (1) the confluence of indigenous, Islamic and Western traditions; (2) the divide, in power relations, between imperial, hegemonic and preponderant languages; and (3) the difference in the sociolinguistic values of sentiment and instrumentality. In this interaction of social forces the languages have played complementary and competitive roles and have acquired both convergent and divergent functions. As the East African multilingual context continues to favor a state of polylingualism, English and Kiswahili have been struggling for greater legitimacy, the former by getting increas ingly localized and the latter by seeking universalist credentials.

References

Bhola, H.S. (1990). "A Review of Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa—Images in the Making." African Studies Review, 33 (3): 5-20.

Coleman, J.S. (1958). Nigeria: Background to Nationalism. Berkeley CA: University of California Press. de Swaan, A. (this issue).

Egejuru, P.A. (1980). Towards African Literary Independence: A Dialogue with Contemporary African Writers. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Griffiths, T.L.L. (1985). An Atlas of African Affairs. London: Routledge.

Heine, B. (1980). "Language and Society." In Language and Dialect Atlas of Kenya, ( B. Heine and W.J.G. Mohlig , eds.), pp. 59-78. Berlin : Dietrick and Reimer Verlag.

Kasfir, N. (1976). The Shrinking Political Arena. Los Angeles: University of California Press.

Ladefoged, P. , R. Glick , and C. Criper , (1972). Language in Uganda. London : Oxford University Press.

Laitin, D. (1989). "Language Policy and Political Strategy in India ." Policy Sciences, 22: 415-436.

Laponce, J. (1993). "Les langues comme acteurs internationaux: phénomènes de contagion et phénomènes d'irradiation." In Melanges en l'honneur de Marcel Merle, ( B. Badie , ed.), pp. 247-264. Paris: Economica.

10.

Massamba, D.P.B. (1989). "An Assessment of the Development and Modernization of the Kiswahili Language in Tanzania." In Language Adaptation , ( F. Coulmas , ed.), pp. 60-78. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

11.

Mazrui, A.A. (1974). World Culture and the Black Experience. Seattle: University of Washington Press .

12.

Mazrui, A.A. and P.J. Zirimu , (1990). "The Secularization of an Afro-Islamic Language: Church, State, and Market Place in the Spread of Kiswahili." Journal of Islamic Studies, 2: 25-53.

13.

Mulokozi, M.M. (1991). "English versus Kiswahili in Tanzania's Secondary Education." In Swahili Studies, ( J. Blommaert , ed.), pp. 7-16. Ghent: Academia Press.

14.

Polome, E.C. (1980). "Tanzania: A Socio-linguistic Profile." In Language in Tanzania, ( E.C. Polome and C.P. Hill , eds.), pp. 103-138. London : Oxford University Press.

15.

Republic of Kenya. (1987). The National Assembly: Official Report, 71, March 3-April 30 Nairobi: Government Printers .

16.

Reporter. (December 30, 1969). Nairobi, Kenya.

17.

"Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili." (1990). Kamusi Sanifu ya Biolojia, Fizikia na Kemia Dar-es-Salaam: Educational Publishers Ltd.

18.

Van Dyken, J.R. (1990). "The Role of Languages of Minority Groups for Literacy and Education in Africa." African Studies Review , 33 (3): 39-52.

19.

Weekly Topic. (October 1, 1986). Kampala, Uganda.

20.

Whiteley, W.H. (1974a). "Patterns of Language Use in Rural Kenya." In Language in Kenya. ( W.H. Whiteley , ed.), pp. 319-350. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.

21.

Whiteley, W.H. (1974b). "The Classification and Distribution of Kenya's African Languages." In Language in Kenya. ( W.H. Whiteley , ed.), pp. 13-68. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.