Categorizing adpositions in Kîîtharaka

In this paper, I discuss the categorial status of Kîîtharaka adpositions. I demonstrate that there are two main classes of adpositions(to be referred to as Class A and Class B). Class A adpositions are syntactic heads and they belong to the functional lexical category P. Class B adpositions are a phrasal P category with a nominal component. They therefore spell out a complex structure than adpositional heads do. This bipartation of Kîîtharaka Ps is based on (i) optionality of complements (ii) case assignment (iii) modification (iv) recoverability of content (v) movement and (vi) derivational morphology

Phrasal movement inside Bantu verbs : deriving affix scope and order in Kîîtharaka

This thesis tries to determine the principles that govern affix ordering in Kîîtharaka, an SVO Bantu language spoken in Kenya. The thesis starts by determining the base hierarchy of affixes by using semantic scope. Thus if an affix A scopes over an affix B, A asymmetrically c-commands B in the phrasal structure configuration. The thesis then tries to investigate how the affixes in the base hierarchy are re-ordered to produce the surface string. It is shown that in order to get the surface string, a constituent containing the verb root undergoes phrasal movement past an affix in a mixture of cyclic and roll-up movement. This movement mechanism, which I refer to as dragging movement, is shown to be strikingly similar to the mechanism that derives the typological variation in the ordering of demonstrative, numeral and adjective in the extended projection of the noun (Cinque 2005). The thesis therefore shows that the ordering of the affixes in the extended projection of the verb phrase in Kîîtharaka and the ordering of modifiers in the extended projection of the noun phrase fall under the same generalization

Women Literacy and Household Food Security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Many counties in Kenya are generally faced with food insecurity. Women play an active role in food production. However, the women’s potential is limited by inadequate levels of literacy which affects the way they access and utilize resources for sustainable agricultural production and household food security. This study examined the impact of women literacy on household food security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.  The study established that the division is faced with food insecurity in spite of the fact that women play an active role in food production.  Women’s potential in Igambang’ombe Division is limited by inadequate level of literacy.  The study recommended that all agricultural stakeholders should be sensitized on literacy competencies and its relationship with sustained food security. Keywords: Household Food Security, Literacy Competencie

The Use of Presupposition in the Creation of Socio- Political Dominance in Kenyan Parliamentary Debates between 1992 and 2010

Presupposition, a linguistic element can be employed in utterances. When this is done it enhances the comprehension of what is being communicated. This aspect of language that is implicit assumption of an utterance is a strategy that may be used to express a speaker’s socio- political dominance. The truth of what is said is taken for granted and can be manipulated by the speaker to have devastating effects on an individual or the society at large. This study examined presupposition as a strategy of language used by Kenyan members of parliament during debates to create socio- political dominance. The objective was: To analyse the usage of presupposition in language used by parliamentarians to create socio- political dominance in Kenyan parliamentary debates. Various sources of literature have been reviewed in the following areas: ideology, discourse strategies, the power in language, parliamentary proceedings and political dominance. The study used descriptive research design. By using purposive sampling, the data was collected from the Hansard dating from 1992 to 2010.  Data was analysed using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA). This theory looks at how the society is moulded by language that shows various power relationships. The study identified language that created dominance, discussed the presupposition as a strategy used in the utterances. The research found out that presupposition was used by speakers to create dominance in the debates. Keywords: Presupposition, Discourse Strategies, Ideology, Power. Parliamentary Languag

Strategies Used For Persuasion in Kimuthambi

Persuasion is inherent in everyday communication and is very important in relationships, leadership, peace building and success in virtually every area of livelihood. This study’s main goal is to provide an analysis of persuasion in Kimuthambi. The objective of the study is to identify and discuss strategies used for persuasion in Kimuthambi. The study is guided by the relevance theory by Sperber and Wilson. It utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research designs and is carried out in Muthambi Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The population includes all the Kimuthambi communicative events. The researcher purposively sampled ten real life communicative events conducted in Kimuthambi which involved forteen speakers. Data was collected using a digital audio recorder and an observation schedule. The recorder captured conversations in Kimuthambi in the selected communicative events and the observation schedule was used to record the contextual information. The researcher transcribed utterances from the data collected that utilizes stragetegies used for persuasion. The transcribed utterances are one hundred and thirty six. Then guided by the communicative principle of relevance, the researcher identifies and discusses eighty four utterances used for persuasion in Kimuthambi. The study establishes that persuasion in Kimuthambi is mainly through the use of logical appeals, emotional appeals and sensationalism. This study enhances the analysis of Kimuthambi as a language variety and adds to the existing knowledge on strategies of persuasion in various languages of the world. In addition it enriches knowledge on the tenets of the relevance theory.Thus it contributes to crosslinguistic studies from the perspective of a unique cultural orientation. Key words: Persuasion, Kimuthambi, Strategies, Relevanc

Wh-questions in Kitharaka

Thesis (M.A.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Arts, 2003

Typology of Kimbeere Relative Clauses in Kimbeere

In this paper we explore the typology of Kimbeere- a Kenya Bantu language. The paper demonstrates that like in other languages, Kimbere has different types of relative clauses namely restrictive, non-restrictive, direct, indirect, appositive, headless among other. Kimbere also has a type of relative clause called ingi relative. The paper is descriptive and contributes typological data which is crucial for drawing principles and parameters in natural language. Key Words: Relative clause, direct, indirect, headless, restrictive, typology DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/62-09 Publication date: November 30th 201

Categorizing adpositions in Kîîtharaka

In this paper, I discuss the categorial status of Kîîtharaka adpositions. I demonstrate that there are two main classes of adpositions(to be referred to as Class A and Class B). Class A adpositions are syntactic heads and they belong to the functional lexical category P. Class B adpositions are a phrasal P category with a nominal component. They therefore spell out a complex structure than adpositional heads do. This bipartation of Kîîtharaka Ps is based on (i) optionality of complements (ii) case assignment (iii) modification (iv) recoverability of content (v) movement and (vi) derivational morphology

The union spell-out principle

This paper argues that grammar has a union spell-out principle that dictates that contiguous heads be spelled out by a single morpheme or phrase if there exists a morpheme or phrase in the lexicon with a collection of the features of the contiguous head