Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics

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An Analysis of Language Use in the Tanzania’s 2010 Pre-election Newspaper Headlines in the Swahili Press
(African Review, 2015) Mapunda, Gastor; Keya, Antoni M
The current paper undertakes a discourse analysis of the front page newspaper headlines of two Tanzanian Swahili weekly newspapers, Mzalendo (Patriot) and Mwanahalisi (Unfeigned child) during the 2010 pre-election period with a view to showing how the press headline discourse in different ways constructs social identities and how these in turn act to influence readers’ voting decisions. The data used comes from ten issues of the two newspapers. The analysis is informed by the Faircloughian three-dimensional framework incorporating: text, discursive practice, and social practice. The main finding is that the writers of both newspaper headlines used alike discursive methods such as selection of particular lexical items and syntactic manipulation with the intent of simultaneously vilifying the contestant viewed by the newspaper as the opponent while at the same time endorsing the one it was supporting. It is recommended that the public understands the strategies for them to make informed decisions.
An Analysis of the Vitality of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ngoni People of Tanzania: Lessons for other Ethnolinguistic Groups
(Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2015-12) Mapunda, Gastor
The current article looks at the vitality of the intangible cultural heritage of the Ngoni ethnolinguistic group of southern Tanzania to show how a contact situation combined with internal dynamics in the community shape the future of intangible cultural heritage of the group. Using questionnaire, interview and observation methods the findings show that there is insufficient intergeneration transfer. The study does so by studying how intergeneration transfer of values such as language use, knowledge of stories, taboos, dances, sayings, and rituals among the youth is indicative of their level of vitality. Additionally, the ever-increasing contact between Ngoni and Swahili cultures affects the situation and makes the future blurred and hazy. Some aspects of the intangible cultural heritage have been more affected than others, which may suggest their eventual disappearance. In such a situation, documenting such traditional values seems to be the most plausible action before they finally perish altogether.
Animacy-based concord in Chiyao
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2022-07-16) Taji, Julius; Riedel, Kristina
Chiyao (Bantu, P21) allows animate concord and/or grammatical agreement for subject and object marking, depending on the type of noun. This article offers an initial description of the relevant patterns in Tanzanian Chiyao. We examine animacy effects in Chiyao grammar, focusing on subject and object marking. We show that the choice of animate concord over class concord is determined by a complex combination of factors, including formal grammatical features like noun class and number, semantic features of the referent such as size, and pragmatics. These findings contribute to the literature on Chiyao, our understanding of agreement systems in Bantu languages and the typological and comparative literature on animacy as a grammatical and/or pragmatic feature.
Bantu Multiple Object' constructions
(Elsevier, 1993) Rugemalira, Josephat M.
Les constructions dites à double complément d'objet en langues bantoues constituent un défi à la définition de l'objet. Ni les tests traditionnels ni les modèles génératifs ne sont à même de donner une explication exempte de contradictions. Convaincu que le vrai problème pour une analyse de la langue naturelle est de mettre en relation les arguments prédicatifs avec les syntagmes d'une construction, l'A. adopte la théorie de la différenciation argumentale, qui interprète ces constructions comme résultant de l'interaction entre les règles de l'ordre des mots, les règles de l'accord grammatical et les propriétés sémantiques inhérentes aux syntagmes
Borrowing in Chindali
(2000) Swilla, Imani N.
BORROWING IN TANZANIAN NGONI LEXICON:SOME SEMANTIC TRENDS IN A LANGUAGE
(Language Matters: Studies in the Languages, 2015-09-01) Mapunda, Gastor; Rosendal, Tove
The Tanzanian language Ngoni has interacted for long with Swahili, which is the more prestigious and dominant lingua franca in Tanzania. This language contact situation affects Ngoni, which frequently borrows terms from Swahili, both for concepts which are new to the Ngoni speakers, but also terms which replace existing Ngoni vocabulary. This paper investigates how borrowed words are integrated, based on a framework including semantic generalisation, specialisation and shift. The study is based on fieldwork conducted in the Songea District in the Ruvuma Region of Tanzania, in the three villages of Peramiho, Kilagano and Mhepai. It was found that borrowing was most frequent in the semantic fields ‘modern world’, ‘food and drink’ and ‘clothing and grooming’. Additive borrowing was found to be more frequent than substitutive. Only semantic widening of borrowed terms was attested. However, combined with a tendency of replacement of old Ngoni terms with both Swahili and Ngoni hypernyms, it indicates that speakers’ competence of the language is waning. This loss of competence may additionally be linked to a more general attrition of Ngoni culture and traditions, which may affect language maintenance
Changamoto za Mawasiliano kwa Viziwi katika Tanzania
(2009) Muzale, Henry R. T.
Viziwi ni moja kati ya makundi ya watu wenye ulemavu wanaohitaji huduma maalumu, hasa shuleni. Ingawa matatizo ya kiziwi yako kwenye maumbile ya mwili wake, athari za ulemavu huo haziko katika mwili kwa maana ya kumsababishia maumivu, kama walivyo watu wenye aina nyingine za ulemavu. Matatizo aliyo nayo kiziwi humkwaza katika mawasiliano katika mazingira anamoishi na hivyo kumwathiri kwa njia nyingine mbalimbali katika nyanja za elimu, mahusiano na maendeleo ya kijamii. Aidha, kwa kuwa matatizo ya viziwi ni ya kimawasiliano, na kwa hiyo hayaonekani kwa macho, viziwi wamekuwa wakikabiliwa na tatizo la kusahaulika katika utoaji wa huduma, kama mojawapo ya makundi ya wanafunzi wanaohitaji msaada maalumu wa kielimu. Athari za mwenendo huu zinaweza kuonekana bayana kutokana na hali za viziwi kuanzia elimu ya awali hadi elimu ya juu, na hata katika maisha kwa jumla. Makala haya yanalimulika suala hili kwa undani, ikiwa ni matokeo ya utafiti alioufanya mwandishi pamoja na kujihusisha kwake na jamiii ya viziwi kwa muda mrefu. Kwa hiyo, lengo kuu la makala haya ni kubainisha hali halisi ya maisha ya jamii ya viziwi uhusiana na vikwazo vya mawasiliano vinayowakabili, hasa shuleni. Ili kutimiza lengo hilo, makala yanabainisha msingi mkuu na chimbuko la vikwazo hivyo. Msingi huo mkuu, ambao ni chimbuko la vikwazo ni mfumo wa elimu uliopo ambao unakazia matumizi ya lugha ya Kiswahili na Kiingereza kama lugha za kufundishia bila kuzingatia mahitaji muhimu ya wanafunzi viziwi. Makala yanachambua pia kasoro za mfumo wa mawasiliano darasani pamoja na matumizi ya ubao, ambavyo hukumbatia lugha za mazungumzo (Kiswahili na Kiingereza) na kuitelekeza lugha ya alama ambayo ndilo tegemeo kuu la wanafunzi wa aina hii. Kwa njia hiyo, makala haya yanachambua asili, aina na athari za vikwazo hivyo vya mawasiliano vinavyoikabili jamii ya viziwi kuanzia kwenye familia hadi shuleni. Ili kutoa mwanga wa kutosha wa masuala hayo, makala yanavinjari pia aina za uziwi, mahitaji ya kila kundi la viziwi, na athari za changamoto zilizopo kwa maisha ya kiziwi. Hayo yanabainishwa kwa kuchambua hali halisi ya madarasa wanakosoma wanafunzi viziwi na mbinu za ufundishaji zilizopo. Kwanza tunaangalia hali halisi ya darasa lenye watoto viziwi pekee katika shule za msingi, ambako Kiswahili hutumika, na kisha darasa la elimu-mjumuiko katika ngazi ya sekondari ambako Kiingereza hutumika. Kwa hiyo, pamoja na kukomaa kwa matumizi ya Kiswahili kama lugha ya kufundishia katika elimu ya msingi, makala yanabainisha ni kwa kiwango gani wanafunzi viziwi wanafaidika au wanaathirika na mifumo ya elimu na mawasiliano iliyopo nchini Tanzania.
Chronogenetic Staging of Tense in Ruhaya
(2000) Hewson, John; Nurse, Derek; Muzale, Henry R. T.
The paradigm of tense and aspect contrasts in Ruhaya, an eastern Bantu language, shows considerable regularity, indication of an ordered system of contrasts. The examination of what appear to be anomalies in the system of contrasts leads to a refinement in the analysis: to the recognition of a tense system that is organised in two stages, based on a model proposed by Gustave Guillaume. Aspectual contrasts are prioritized at the first stage, tense contrasts at the second. Compound forms, which are typically combinations of Stage 2 + Stage 1 (in that order), are complex representations that are marked for both tense and aspect.
The Comitative/conjunctive Preposition na in Chathu (Pare), a Bantu Language of Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2004) Mous, Maarten; Mreta, Abel Y.
The article discusses the problem of analysis of the element na in Chathu (Pare), a Bantu language of Tanzania. This element functions both as a preposition with a range of meanings and as a conjunction. A similar element with the same problem of analysis exists in most Bantu languages, and, in fact, the phenomenon of a word meaning both ‘and’ and ‘with’ is extremely common in other African languages as well. The article presents an overview of the semantics of na and proposes the most likely tines of semantic development that link the various meaning senses. After a discussion of the agreement phenomena when na is used in the conjunctive meaning, the conclusion is reached that na is a preposition in alt of its uses. A certain degree of grammaticalization has occurred in the possessive use of na.
The Communication Skills Unit and the Language Problem at the University of Dar Es Salaam
(1990) Rugemalira, Josephat M.
Complementarity of communicative modes on meaning making in Tanzania’s digital telecom marketing: A social semiotic multimodal perspective
(Taylor and Francis, 2022-03-07) Ilonga, Emmanuel; Mapunda, Gastor
This article examines the complementarity of the communicative modes for making meaning in digital telecom advertisements. Using a social semiotic multimodal approach in its data analysis, we utilise the metafunction and composition frameworks for the interpretation and discussion. The study shows that advert makers incorporate various modes which represent real-life objects and experiences to promote products and services. The modes establish and reinforce marketing and social relationships between makers and potential customers. In the adverts, visual modes are often elaborated on through texts. In composition, the study shows that advertisers utilise various patterns in organising the modes. The makers also use various compositional properties to indicate the prominence of the modes. In addition, they deploy discrete frames to separate units of information. As such, the combination of all these modes as an integrated system in the digital telecom advertisements enables the makers to negotiate meaning with consumers.
Contact-induced Language Alternation in Tanzanian Ngoni – An Empirical Study of Frequency and Patterns
(2016-03-10) Rosendal, Tove; Mapunda, Gastor
The codeswitching pattern is different in rural Tanzania compared to urban agglomerations around the world. Even in very rural areas people in Tanzania are bilingual in Swahili, the national and local lingua franca, and their own first language. The result of this language contact is understudied and has only recently been focused on. This paper presents quantitative and qualitative results of a study of the language Ngoni in contact with Swahili. The study is based on photo elicitations about traditional artefacts and their use in one semi-urban and one remote rural village in Songea District, Ruvuma Region. Codeswitching is the unmarked choice among the Ngoni subsistence farmers in the area, even for old persons living in remote villages. The quantitative results are summed in relation to socio-demographic factors. Additionally, possible social and psycholinguistic factors, such as triggering, are discussed. The results give reason to concern regarding the future of Ngoni.
Corpus-based Analysis of Academic Writing Errors by First Year Tanzanian University Students: Cases from UDSM, SUA and TUICO
(2014-12) Mapunda, Gastor; Mafu, Safari, T.
The study looked into errors committed by first year university students in three universities in Tanzania. While errors can be indicative of a developmental stage in the learning of a second language, formal English language learning in Tanzania culminates at the secondary school level and, for some, at the university level. For many at the University level, a related subject is Communication Skills. As such, one would expect students at this level to learn advanced communication skills. Students‘ essays were analyzed, errors identified, and discussed. The findings show that, besides errors in writing skills in terms of the mechanics and logic, there were many other types of errors from improperly learnt structures, language transfer, and unclear expression. It is suggested here that something needs to be done regarding the content of curricula and pedagogical processes both in secondary and tertiary education. Since the errors made were from first year university students, they must have had their origin in secondary and primary schools where the students have come from. We are of the view that, when students come to the university, they should be subjected to screening to identify their communication skills problems so as to expose them to relevant remedial classes.
Descriptive Study of Kiswahili as Kiswahili as a Foreign Language Learners' Motivations: HUFS Case Study
(Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, College of Humanities, University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Msuya, Erasmus Akiley
Descriptive Study of University of dar es Salaam Students' Errors
(College of Arts and Social Sciences, 2013) Msuya, Erasmus Akiley
A dictionary of Plant Names and Functions in Haya
(University of Dar Es Salaam, 2011) Muzale, Henry R. T.
The Dynamics of Language Maintenance among Speakers of Chindali in Mbozi District, Tanzania
(2005) Swilla, Imani N.
This paper discusses findings of a research on the vitality of Chindali, a language spoken in south-west Tanzania, among speakers who have migrated to a new area, away from its heartland. Research shows that there is language maintenance. Several factors have contributed to the maintenance of the language - the desire for preservation and survival as a distinct group in the new location and pride in the culture, monolingualism, dominance of Chindali as the language of the family and community, the rural nature of the population, low levels of formal education and continued contacts with Bundali. The paper raises the need to conduct more studies on vernacular languages in contact, in order to understand the phenomenon and its impacts.
EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMAL INSTRUTIONS ON EFL UNIVERSITY WRITING: THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
(Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 2010-12) Msuya, Erasmus Akiley
This study sought to find out how effective instructions are in promoting language proficiency of EFL Tanzania university students. 350 students from the University of Dar es Salaam participated in the study, guided by four questions focussing on a) students’ overall proficiency after the instruction, b) their proficiency levels across various academic disciplines, and c) across instructional groups, and d) the gender comparison of the observed proficiency. After the pre-test, followed by three weeks of instructions, a post test was administered and the findings suggested marginal increase in students’ written English proficiency with variations between the instructional groups, academic disciplines and gender.
EFL Proficiency Testing at the University of Dar es Salaam: Performance of Candidates
(www.iiste.org, 2016-02) Msuya, Erasmus Akiley
This study sought to measure the University of Dar es Salaam EFL students’ proficiency so as to get deeper and comprehensive insights of the candidates’ variability in their linguistic ability across test areas, namely; comprehensive reading, writing, listening, and grammar and vocabulary. The variability was in terms of sex and level of education. The study adopted a framework of measurement of proficient levels developed by American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) (2012) in which learners are rated at four levels: superior, advanced, intermediate and novice and in which the last three were further subdivided into high, mid and low. 136 Udsm EFL participants were involved in the study. These were test takers who sat for the University of Dar es Salaam proficiency test at different times between 2009 and 2013. These were of different education backgrounds and were picked randomly using their test scripts.The findings showed that, in the whole, the students’ performance was good since all groups of candidates performance ranged from ‘intermediate’ to ‘intermediate proficient levels with Udsm alumni taking the lead with a mean of 85.5% while ELT short term students were the last with a mean score of 56.3%. In terms of gender, males outperformed females in the four out of five groups, even though the difference was only marginal. As for the content areas that were tested, the candidates’ performance was the highest in the area of vocabulary where their overall mean score was 83 while listening was the most underperformed content area with the mean score of 28.
The English Language Support Project in Tanzania
(1990) Lwaitama, A. F.; Rugemalira, Josephat M.

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