The University of Dodoma University of Dodoma Institutional Repository http://repository.udom.ac.tz Social Sciences Master Dissertations 2017 The status of Meru language: domain of use, intergeneration transmission and þÿspeakers attitude Pallangyo, Wariaeli Ismaeli The University of Dodoma Pallangyo, W. I. (2017). The status of Meru language: domain of use, intergeneration þÿtransmission and speakers attitude. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/431 Downloaded from UDOM Institutional Repository at The University of Dodoma, an open access institutional repository. THE STATUS OF MERU LANGUAGE: DOMAIN OF USE, INTERGENERATION TRANSMISSION AND SPEAKERS’ ATTITUDE WARIAELI ISMAELI PALLANGYO MASTER OF ARTS IN LINGUISTICS THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA OCTOBER, 2017 THE STATUS OF MERU LANGUAGE: DOMAIN OF USE, INTERGENERATION TRANSMISSION AND SPEAKERS’ ATTITUDE By Wariaeli Ismaeli Pallangyo A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Linguistics of the University of Dodoma The University of Dodoma October, 2017 CERTIFICATION The undersigned certifies that she has read and hereby recommends for acceptance by the University of Dodoma, a dissertation entitled the Status of Meru Language in Tanzania: Domain of Use, Intergeneration Transmission and Speakers’ Attitude, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Linguistics of the University of Dodoma. …………………………… (Supervisor) Dr. Chrispina Alphonce Date............................... i DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT I, Wariaeli I. Pallangyo, declare that this dissertation is my own original work and that it has not been presented and will not be presented to any other University for a similar or any other degree award. Signature.............................................. No part of this dissertation may be produced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author or the University of Dodoma. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I am grateful to Almighty God for his love and protection in my life. Also, the successful completion of this dissertation depended on many people. I extend my gratitude to all them. It is not easy to mention all of them here but, sincerely, I appreciate their kindness and thoughtful contribution in this success. Thanks to my supervisor Dr. Chrispina Alphonce, for accepting me to be one of her students and her valuable supportive, comments and guidance throughout the process of proposal preparation, field work and writing of this dissertation. I have been largely enriched by her accurate, critical reading and correction. I would like to extend my thanks to the district commissioner at Meru, cultural and traditional heritage officer, head of schools and informants who willingly participated in this study and provided me with the information and opinions that contributed to the successful accomplishment of this study. Indeed, it would be difficult to accomplish this study, if not their willingness to participate in this study. Also, I recognize and value role played by my lecturers at the University of Dodoma. Kindly let me mention them though it is not in the order of importance: Prof. Kahigi, Prof. Lakshimaanan, Prof. Helena, Dr. Chipila, Dr. Sebonde, and Dr. Biseko.Indeed, you have enormously contributed towards my success in education and I thank you all! Lastly, but not least, I would like to thank my beloved father (Ismaeli Israeli), my Sisters (Sirieli and Elinuru), my brothers (Amosi, Goodlack, Emanueli and Gabrieli E.), my fiancé (Agness), and my friends (Frank Nsale and Mbalizi Emanueli), for their endless support which enabled me to accomplish this hard academic task. I say again, thank you all and be blessed. iii DEDICATION The dissertation is dedicated to my beloved father (Ismaeli Israeli) for his love; care and support since my childhood till today even in the absence of my mother since the death of my beloved mother. May God rest her soul in an external peace, Amen! iv ABSTRACT This dissertation reports the findings of an assessment of the status of Meru language in Tanzania. The focus of the assessment was on the domains of use, intergeneration transmission, and speakers‘ attitude. In specific, the study examined the usage of Meru language in different domains; it evaluated the trend of Meru language transmission from one generation to another and assessed the attitudes of the speakers towards the language. The study was conducted in Meru district using the qualitative procedures, i.e. interviews, participant observation through the UNESCO framework and open ended questionnaires. A total of 105 informants were used to generate data which were at the end analysed using the qualitative procedures. Analysis of the information obtained revealed that Meru language is in danger of dying due to the influence and domination of Kiswahili. Currently, the language is even dominated by Kiswahili in informal domains, like the home environment, family meetings while Kiswahili continues to be used predominantly in formal domains, like school, market and religion. Following this finding and the importance of having ethnic community languages in our societies, it is suggested that the native speakers should assist their children to speak and create positive attitudes towards the language. There is also the need for linguists to document the language and other languages in danger of disappearing since there is a sign of disappearance of some important elements of the language. v TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................................ i DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT ....................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... ix LIST OF CHARTS ...................................................................................................... x LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................ xi LIST OF ABBRIVIATIONS ..................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO THE STUDY ........... 1 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Meru People and their Language ........................................................................... 1 1.2 Background of the Study ....................................................................................... 3 1.3 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 6 1.4 General objective ................................................................................................... 8 1.4.1 Specific objectives .............................................................................................. 8 1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 8 1.6 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................... 9 1.7 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................. 9 1.8 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................. 9 CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................... 11 2.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 11 2.2.1 Intergenerational Language Transmission (ILT) .............................................. 12 2.2.2 Shifts in Domains of Language Use ................................................................. 13 2.2.3 Members‘ Attitudes towards their own Language ........................................... 14 2.3 Literature Review ................................................................................................ 15 2.3.1 Language and Identity ...................................................................................... 16 2.3.2 Language Endangerment .................................................................................. 18 vi 2.3.3 Language Shift, Death and the Role of the Speech Community ...................... 20 2.3.4 Role of Language Attitude ............................................................................... 23 2.3.5 Domain of Language Use ................................................................................. 24 2.4 Research Gap ......................................................................................................