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A Lexical – Semantic Analysis of the Language of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Communities in Nairobi City County, Kenya

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A Lexical – Semantic Analysis of the Language of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Communities in Nairobi City County, Kenya A LEXICAL – SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE LESBIAN, GAY BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA By GEMMA KAIMURI KINYUA C50/CE/27743/2013 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2017 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University or for any other award. Signature …………………………………………… Date ………………………. Gemma Kaimuri Kinyua - C50/CE/27743/2013 Department of English and Linguistics SUPERVISORS We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision. Signature …………………………………………… Date ………………………. Dr. Eunice Nyamasyo Department of English and Linguistics Signature …………………………………………… Date ………………………. Dr. Kenneth Ngure Department of English and Linguistics ii DEDICATION ……..thank you Mam and Dad. iii ACKNOWLEGMENT My profound gratitude to the almighty God for the gift of knowledge, wisdom and strength, that enabled me complete this thesis. I also place on record, my deepest appreciation to my supervisors Dr Eunice Nyamasyo and Dr. Kenneth Ngure for their continuous support, patience and motivation throughout the study. Their guidance saw me through the entire process of research and writing of this thesis. My sincere thanks also go to Dr. Hilda Kebeya who introduced me to the interesting field of Sociolinguistics and whose enthusiasm for it has a lasting effect. I am extremely grateful and indebted to her for the sincere and valuable guidance and encouragement she extended to me throughout the period of my postgraduate studies. I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of the department faculty members for their help and support. I would also like to thank members of the LGBT community in Kenya whose participation made this study successful. My very special gratitude also goes to my parents and my sisters who have provided moral and emotional support throughout writing this thesis and my life in general. I finally wish to register my gratitude to one and all, who directly and indirectly, lent me their hand in this venture. iv ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS AFRA – Artist for Recognition and Acceptance AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ART – Antiretroviral Therapy F4F – Femme For Femme FTM – Female To Male GALCK – Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus HOYMAS – Health Options for Young Men in HIV/AIDS and STIS Ishtar MSM - A community-based organization working with men who have sex with men. KIGALE – Kenya Gay and Lesbian Trust LBQ – Lesbian bisexual queer LGBT – lesbian gay bisexual transgender LGBTQI – Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex MM – Markedness Model MMI – Married Men Initiative v MSM – Men having Sex with Men MTF – Male To Female MWA – Minority Women in Action NOH8 – No hate PEMA – Persons Marginalized and Aggrieved. S4S – Stud for stud SOGIE – Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression TOMICK – The Other Men in Kenya UNHRC – United Nations Human Rights Committee vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEGMENT .................................................................................................. iv ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS ......................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... xii DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS .......................................................... xiii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. xv CHAPTER ONE: ........................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................ 1 1.1.1 The Language Situation in Kenya ........................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Queer Linguistics ..................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................... 10 1.3 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................ 11 1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................. 11 1.5 Research Assumptions ......................................................................................... 12 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study .............................................................. 12 1.7 Scope and Limitation ................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 15 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ....................... 15 vii 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 15 2.2 The lexicon ............................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 South Africa Gayle ................................................................................................ 15 2.2.2 Gay speak .............................................................................................................. 18 2.2.3 Polari ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Word formation processes used in building up of the lexicon ................................. 20 2.4 Socio-psychological factors governing language use by speech communities ........ 23 2.5 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 28 2.5.1 The Markedness Model and its Application to the Study ..................................... 28 CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................... 31 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 31 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 31 3.2 Research Design ....................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Variables ................................................................................................................... 32 3.4 Location of the Study ............................................................................................... 33 3.5 Target Population ..................................................................................................... 33 3.6 Sampling Techniques and Sample size .................................................................... 33 3.6.1 Sampling Techniques ............................................................................................ 34 3.6.2 Sample Size ........................................................................................................... 34 3.7 Data Collection Instruments and Methods ............................................................... 35 3.7.1 Brain storming session .......................................................................................... 35 3.7.2 Questionnaire ......................................................................................................... 36 3.7.3 Interview Guide ..................................................................................................... 38 viii 3.7.4 Participation in WhatsApp Group with LGBT Categories .................................... 39 3.8 Pilot Study ................................................................................................................ 40 3.9 Validity and Reliability of Instruments .................................................................... 40 3.10 Data Analysis and Presentation .............................................................................. 41 3.11 Data Management and Ethical Considerations ....................................................... 42 CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................ 43 DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ................................... 43 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 43 4.2 Data collected from the Brain storming session ....................................................... 43 4.3 Demographics
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