ACOUSTIC FEATURES OF THE NON-ETHNICALLY MARKED KENYAN ENGLISH IN THE SPEECH OF SELECTED UNIVERSITY LECTURERS ITUMO, JOSHUA MULINGE, M.A C82/28686/2013 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH LINGUISTICS OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 2018 ii iii DEDICATION |HAʔ •A • HAʔ• I •LAʔ• A• ALAʔ• AHLʔ• HIʔL • U • AI •I • HUʔ• A• HUʔ• AI LAʔ• AI • U• I •HAL •AI• A •HAL |; [||tʊɔːlmaɪˈstjuːdənts|pɑːst|ˈpreznt|ændˈfjuːtʃə||ændtəˈdʒiːzəs|əˈbaʊndɪŋɪn lʌv|ɡreɪs|ændˈmɜːsɪ||] iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank Kenyatta University for offering me an opportunity to study through an internal scholarship. I also thank my two supervisors, Dr. Geoffrey Mokua Maroko and Dr. Henry Simiyu Nandelenga, who conscientiously and lovingly guided me through this study. Dr. Ruth Ndung’u, my initial supervisor, motivated me to adopt an acoustic approach to studying phonological segments. I am extremely grateful to the lecturers who participated in this research either as subjects or as subject selectors. I also thank the current Chairperson of the Department of English and Linguistics, Dr. Purity Nthiga, who brainstormed with me about my proposal of studying the Kenyan English phonology. Dr. Phyllis Mwangi was also of immeasurable support and encouragement. Dr. Eunice Nyamasyo gave me a clearer focus concerning the study of Kenyan English. Both Dr. Kiguru and Dr. Loise Wamaitha, my good friends, colleagues and peers, supported me throughout the course of the study. I thank Dr. Kenneth Ngure for offering me great spiritual, moral and intellectual support. Dr. Karia, Dr. Ogutu, Dr. Kebeya, Dr. Wangia, Dr. Shivachi, Ms. Owili, Mr. Gecaga, Mr. Omasaja, Dr. Lilian Omoke, Dr. Orago, Dr. Ayieko, Dr. Gachara, Dr. Njiiri , Dr. Kanana, Dr. Ikaria, Norah Atambo, Peter Wakarindi, and Edna Mose; all contributed to the architecture of this study. Morris, Frashiah, Susan, Wambui, Gladys and other support staff at the English and Linguistics department are also acknowledged for the role that each of them played. v At Kitui campus, the Director, Dr. Mary Runo; the Deputy Director, Dr. Joseph Musyoka, Hannington Mala, Bernard Ng’etich, Dr. Magero, Rosa Cheboi and many other faculty members supported this study and willingly attended my seminar presentations, which helped me to reshape the research. From Tangaza University College, I do thank Dr. Churu, Bro., Prof. Paulos, Sr., Dr. Jane Gikonyo, Simon Wachira, Samuel Mwangi and Violet Otieno for their great love and care. I received immense support from Dr. Alfred Buregeya of the University of Nairobi. Prof. Martin Njoroge, my mentor, together with Prof. Margaret Muthwii and Prof. Angelina Kioko opened my eyes to the phonology of World Englishes. Prof. Donald Kombo has always been like a father to me. Prof. Wako, Dr. Fedha and Dr. Wathika, all from Egerton University, greatly motivated this study. Further abroad, Prof. Dominic Watt was of great help. The distinguished phonetician personally helped me when I was stuck in vowel normalization procedures. Also, both Prof. Phillip Backley and Prof. Kuniya Nasukawa provided me with invaluable guidance on Element Theory through personal messages and resources via Research Gate. I wish to also thank the following people and their families for their love and support. Christine Wambua, Jackson Mulwa, Dr. Muthei, Dr. Kula, Dr. Abraham Wambua, Benjamin Ndunda and John Itumo. Above all, I thank Jesus for his immeasurable grace and mercy. Lastly, I wish to absolve the persons and institutions mentioned here from any errors of omission or commission in this study and also to state that I am entirely responsible for the same. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................ xiv ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS .................................................... xx OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ...................................... xxiv ABSTRACT .......................................................................................... xxvi CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES ................................ 1 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Study ...................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................... 12 1.3 Objectives of the Study ...................................................................... 12 1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................ 13 1.5 Justification and Significance ............................................................ 13 1.6 Scope and Delimitations .................................................................... 15 1.7 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................... 17 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ..... 17 2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................ 17 2.1 The Received Pronunciation (RP) ..................................................... 17 2.2 The Kenyan English (KenE) Accent ................................................. 26 2.3 Theories of Phonemic Analyses ........................................................ 33 2.4 Theoretical Framework ...................................................................... 60 2.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 72 vii CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................... 74 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................ 74 3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................ 74 3.1 Research Design ................................................................................ 74 3.2 Variables ............................................................................................ 75 3.3 Site of the Study ................................................................................. 76 3.4 Target Population ............................................................................... 77 3.5 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size ............................................. 77 3.6 Research Instruments ......................................................................... 80 3.7 Pilot Study .......................................................................................... 82 3.8 Validity and Reliability ...................................................................... 82 3.9 Data Collection .................................................................................. 83 3.10 Data Analysis Procedures ................................................................ 84 3.11 Data Management and Ethical Considerations .............................. 140 3.12 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 140 CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................ 142 KENYAN ENGLISH MONOPHTHONGS .......................................... 142 4.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 142 4.1 Analysis of Monophthongs .............................................................. 142 4.2 The Kenyan English Monophthongs ............................................... 145 4.3 The CommA Vowel ......................................................................... 173 4.4 Comparison between KenE Accent and RP Monophthongs ........... 182 4.5 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 189 viii CHAPTER FIVE ................................................................................. 190 KENYAN ENGLISH DIPHTHONGS .................................................. 190 5.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 190 5.1 Analysis of Diphthongs.................................................................... 190 5.2 The KenE |I| Diphthongs .................................................................. 194 5.2 The |A| Diphthongs .......................................................................... 209 5.3 The |U| Diphthongs .......................................................................... 224 5.4 Comparison between KenE and RP Diphthongs ............................. 232 5.5 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 237 CHAPTER SIX .................................................................................... 239 KENYAN ENGLISH SONORANTS.................................................... 239 6.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 239 6.1 The KenE Glides .............................................................................. 239 6.2 The KenE Liquids ...........................................................................