Language Information by Source

The sociolinguistic impact of Kiswahili on ethnic community languages in Tanzania: a case study of Ekinata

Rugatiri D.K. Mekacha. 1993. "The Sociolinguistic Impact of Kiswahili On Ethnic Community Languages in Tanzania: a Case Study of Ekinata." xiv, 237. Bayreuth University.

Vulnerable
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
50,000
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends

Speaker Number Trend 1

Most members of the community or ethnic group speak the language. Speaker numbers may be decreasing, but very slowly.

1
Domains of Use

Domain Of Use 2

Used in some non-official domains along with other languages, and remains the primary language used in the home for many community members.

2
Transmission

Transmission -1

All members of the community, including children, speak the language.

-1

Speakers

Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
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Semi-speakers or rememberers
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Children:
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Young adults
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Older adults
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Elders
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Ethnic or community population
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Year information was gathered
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Comments on speakers
"Official attention to the functions of [Ethnic Community Languages] in Tanzania is very occasional, and almost always in reference to their being the basis and sources of national cultural heritage [...] a document that proposes a new language policy in Tanzania refers to [Ethnic Community Languages] as no more than "sources of culturla expression, historical information, linguistic forms for Kiswahili enrichment and the basis for folkloric performances" (Batibo 1992: 94) [...] [Ethnic Community Languages in Tanzania enjoy neither official institutional support nor organized private support. [...] The use of [Ekinata] in school is not only officially discouraged but also penalized by scornful remarks from both teachers and peers. [...] The use of [Ekinata and Swahili alternatively] and [Swahili] dominates in such activities and games as playing cards, tombola, football and night discos [...] Negative attitudes towards the use of [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is the unmarked choice is indicated not only by the fact that it is not acknowledged but also by attracting negative judgement exemplified in three different but related ways. Firstly speakers who use [Ekinata] in domains where [Swahili] is expected show apprehension and exercise considerable self sensorship... Secondly, people using [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is expected are discouraged, or reproached... Thirdly, the use of [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is expected is done in a way which tends to relegate [Ekinata] to the past."

Location and Context

Countries
Mara, Tanzania
Location Description

"The speakers of [Ekinata] occupy the sparsely populated village settlements of Mogeta, Ishenyi, Nata and Ikoma... The villages lie on the north western border of Serengeti National Park, about 80 to 120 kilometers east of Lake Victoria port of Musoma, the regional administrative town."

Government Support
none
Institutional Support
none
Speakers' Attitude
Positive, but overshadowed by the usefulness of Swahili
Other Languages Used By The Community
Swahili; English
Number of Other Language Speakers:
96%%
Domains of Other Languages:
Education; Government; Some leisure activities; Work;

Writing Systems

Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
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Other writing systems used:
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Comments on writing systems:
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Community Members