Dissertation
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DISSERTATION Titel der Dissertation Appraisal of Literacy Practices among Villagers in Rural Kenya: The Case of Murugi Location, Maara District Verfasser Wendo K. Nabea angestrebter akademischer Grad Dr. –Studium der Philosophie Sprachwissenschaft (Dr. of Philosophy.) Wien, November 2009 Studienkennzahl: A 092 327 Dissertationsgebiet: Sprachwissenschaft (Linguistics) Betreuer (Supervisor): A. o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Helmut Gruber DEDICATION To the adorable threesome; Faith, Fiona & Jerry. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe a great debt of gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Helmut Gruber for his immeasurable support throughout my research and dissertation writing. I will always carry with me memories of his tremendous source of insight, inspiration and wise counsel, in ensuring that my good progress was always certain. I also acknowledge and appreciate the huge support received from my second supervisor Dr. Brigitta Busch. Her critical eye and sharp-edged advice helped to improve this dissertation a great deal, and her efforts will always be appreciated. In a similar vein, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professors Rudolf De Cillia and Florian Menz of the Institute of Linguistics, and Professors Barbara Seidlhofer and Nikolaus Ritt of the department of English. Their brilliant advice and encouragement, particularly in departmental seminars is noted with gratitude. My thanks are also due to Egerton University for allowing me leave to study at the University of Vienna. The institution’s privilege and consideration are highly prized. Thanks are also due to the Austrian Development Authority (OÄD) for awarding me scholarship to study in Austria. The gesture, selflessness and nobility of the agency are profoundly appreciated. By extension, the support received from the staff of OÄD is acknowledged with a lot of gratitude. I am also indebted to my fellow students at the universities of Vienna and Boku for their support, friendship and care. These include Pamela Ngugi, Eric Bett, Nizar Meta, Andrew Ogutu, Mary Aswani, Lyuba Gramman, Eddy Walakira, Fred Omengo, Kennedy Mwetu, Esau Galukande, Sarah Ogalleh, Adamneh Dagne, Tadesse Fetahi and Peter Akol. Thanks are also due to my colleagues who walked the Vienna academic journey in the past, and who encouraged me to take it also. Among these are Dr. Onyango Ogola, Dr. Felicia Yieke, Dr. Jonathan Munguti, Dr. Benedict Mutua and Prof. Nyongesa Kasili. Pastor Nehemiah Kamau, members of PCEA Nakuru West and Gantaraki churches in Kenya are thanked for their prayers, encouragement and well wishes. I also express my iii sincere and profound gratitude to the villagers of Murugi Location, Maara district, Kenya; for their kindness, assistance and permission to conduct research among them. Their cooperation and sacrifice are greatly treasured. I also log my tremendous thanks to my friends Mbumbuki Tigania and Alex Mugambi for their unfailing and most generous support during my study period. Granted, their help occasionally proved onerous, a feat they nonetheless bore with great fortitude. I remain perpetually indebted to you companions. During my stint in Vienna in the last two and two thirds years, I got acquainted with people who made positive contributions to my studies and life in different ways. It is in this line that I acknowledge the kindness of Pastor Jonathan Wright and brethren at the Vienna International Baptist church, Kawira Bucyana and family, Jula and Robert Lombardini, Catherine and George Schick, Francine Karekezi and Dr. Theresa Schwardberg. The support and encouragement received from my family can never be repaid. The patience, love and understanding of my wife Faith Kagwiria, and children, Fiona Kathomi and Jerry Muthomi has been formidable, and will ever be etched in my heart and mind. The prayers, adoration and affection from my parents Jane and Raughton Nabea have been endless, and will always be cherished. My brothers and sisters devotion and generosity is priceless. Nyawira Kithinji and Joy Nyaga, plus their families deserve a special mention, and to you all, many thanks. Special thanks are also reserved for the families of Rose Kinyua, Nkonge Nabea and Jyotish Gitonga. To you all, and many others whose names do not appear here, I say asanteni sana, thanks a lot. * * * I extend my appreciation to institutions and individuals who gave me permission to use their documents in the dissertation. These include Muguthi Clan in Meru, PCEA Chogoria Hospital, Kenya Tea Development Authority, Monsanto Agrochemicals and the Mission Self Help group. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...........................................................................................iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................... ix LIST OF PLATES .......................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................ ix LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................. x ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT IN DEUTSCHE ....................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE .............................................................................................................. 1 1.0 ORIENTATION....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Background to the Study .......................................................................................... 1 1.3 Delineating Literacy and Literacies ......................................................................... 5 1.3.1 Literacy .............................................................................................................. 5 1.3.2 Literacies............................................................................................................ 7 1. 4 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 12 1.5 Objectives of the Study .......................................................................................... 13 1.6 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 13 1.7 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................... 14 1.8 Scope and Limitations............................................................................................ 16 1.9 Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................... 18 1.10 Conclusion............................................................................................................ 23 CHAPTER TWO........................................................................................................... 24 2.0 LANGUAGE SITUATION IN KENYA ............................................................... 24 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 24 2.2 Distribution of Languages in Kenya ...................................................................... 25 2.3 Historical Basis of Language Policy in Kenya....................................................... 26 2.4 Colonial Language Policy: Domination-Subordination......................................... 28 2.5 First Epoch of Colonial Language Policy .............................................................. 28 2.6 Second Epoch of Colonial Language Policy.......................................................... 31 2.7 Language Policy in Independent Kenya: A Colonial Legacy ................................ 34 2.8 Language Policy and the National Language......................................................... 36 2.9 Multilingualism and Language Policy ................................................................... 39 2.10 Impact of Unclear Language Policy..................................................................... 40 2.10.1Arms of Government ...................................................................................... 41 2.10.1.1 Legislature ............................................................................................. 41 2.10.1.2 Judiciary................................................................................................. 43 2.10.2 Literature........................................................................................................ 44 2.10.3 Media ............................................................................................................. 47 2.11 Evaluation of Kenya’s Limp Language Policy .................................................... 49 2.11.1 English Hegemony......................................................................................... 49 2.11.2 Negotiation with Hegemony .........................................................................