Department of Humanities and Languages

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/20.500.12092/1883

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End date: 2017

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 27
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    Metaphoric Conceptualizations of Death in Gĩkũyũ
    (KOAJKorea Open Access Journals, 2017) Gathigia, Moses Gatambuki
    Using the dictum that metaphor is a conceptual mapping from a concrete source domain to an abstract target domain, this paper identifies and categorizes the metaphors of death in Gĩkũyũ using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory. To achieve this objective, a purposive sample of twenty speakers of Gĩkũyũ was interviewed. The study collected 47 metaphors of death as the target domain. Having employed the mnemonics “TARGET DOMAIN IS SOURCE DOMAIN” as posited by Lakoff and Johnson (1980), the study identified four conceptual metaphors of death in Gĩkũyũ as follows: DEATH IS A JOURNEY; DEATH IS THE END; DEATH IS A REST; and DEATH IS A SUMMON. The study concludes that the Cognitive linguistics model provides tools for understanding, interpreting and accounting for metaphors of death in Gĩkũyũ.
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    Relating Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Connectors
    (2015) Gathigia, Moses Gatambuki; Njoroge, Martin C.
    Coherence and cohesion are essential elements that a well-constructed written sentence or text should consist of. Connectors are usually used to indicate coherence and cohesion between units of a discourse. A sample of academic writing with connectors present is perceived to be more logical, convincing and authoritative than the same sample with all the connectors removed. Learners of English as a second language tend to misuse connectors in their writing creating comprehensive problems that may be so impenetrable as to defy normal decoding of a text. With this background information, this paper examines the teaching of connectors using the conventional approach and the essay-based approach, which is also complemented by the Coherence and Relevance theoretical framework. The study is conducted using a pretest / posttest paradigm to test the efficacy of the two approaches of teaching connectors. Two Form three classes were sampled for this study. A pretest on logical connectors was administered in each school, marked and results recorded. The experimental class was exposed to the teaching of connectors using the essay - based approach (textual) method as a tool of teaching while the control class was exposed to the conventional approach of teaching. A posttest, the same test administered as a pretest, was given to the two groups. The scores recorded in both tests were analyzed quantitatively using the Levene's Test for Equality of Variances. The analysis is then presented in tables, graphs and findings discussed. In addition, the paper proposes recommendations for pedagogy.
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    Etymological Elaboration As A Pedagogical Approach: Insights From Applied Linguistics
    (International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies, 2016) Gathigia, Moses Gatambuki
    Idioms are regarded as problematic to teach and, a fortiori, difficult for second language learners to comprehend due to the arbitrariness of their meanings and forms. Thus, the objective of this study is to test the efficacy of etymological elaboration and the teacher descriptive approach to the teaching and learning of English idioms in second language contexts. To achieve this objective, 30 purposively sampled English idioms were gathered from the Macmillan English Dictionary (2007 edition) and the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2010 edition). The study was conducted using a pretest / posttest paradigm. Two Form three classes were sampled for this study. A pretest on the 30 English idioms was administered, marked and results recorded. Learners in the experimental class were taught using etymological elaboration approach while those in the control class were taught using the teacher descriptive approach. A posttest was given to the participants in the same format as the pretest. The scores recorded in both tests were analyzed quantitatively using the Levene's Test for Equality of Variances. The study noted that the teaching of English idioms using etymological elaboration approach facilitates learners’ retention and comprehension of idioms. The study concludes that the etymological elaboration approach is an effective strategy of teaching English idioms. The paper proposes recommendations for pedagogy of English idioms for learners of English as the second language in Kenya and beyond
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    A Cognitive Semantics Analysis of Fulstop and Valentine Taarab Songs by Khadija Kopa and Mzee Yusuf
    (International Journal of Psychology Research, 2017) Ntabo, Victor Ondara
    The Taarab composers and singers Khadija Kopa and Mzee Yusuf have gained appeal for their hilarious and metaphorical songs. In particular, the songs, Fulstop by Khadija Kopa and Valentine by Mzee Yusuf have been a massive hit with many Kenyans as they are regularly played in coastal FM stations and social gatherings, thanks to their use of metaphors and witticism. Basically, the song Fulstop is about Khadija Kopa’s self-praise of her achievements in the music industry and the pieces of advice she offers the youths to stay away from vices especially drugs and substance abuse and illicit sex. Mzee Yusuf paints a picture of a patriarchal male member in society who is “worshipped” by women. Using four coders including the researcher, this paper set out to identify the metaphors in the songs through the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU). In addition, the study explains the meaning of the metaphors using the Cognitive Semantics framework. Content analysis which is within the qualitative research paradigm, also guided the analysis of the metaphors in the songs. The study found that the MIPVU is an effective method of identifying metaphors in songs. Also, the study notes that animal, human being, plant and object metaphors are source domains in the construction of metaphors in the songs. The study concludes that the metaphors in taarab songs belong inherently to different levels of the generic Great Chain of Being Metaphor (GCBM)
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    Dhima ya Ushairi wa Kiswahili Katika Kuelimishia Jamii Kuhusu Demokrasia
    (African Journals Online, 2014) Maitaria, Joseph Nyehita
    Makala haya yanafafanua dhima ya Ushairi wa Kiswahili katika kubainisha na kuielimishia jamii kuhusu masuala ya demokrasia. Ushairi kama kitengo muhimu cha fasihi, umekuwa ukitumiwa kuchochea usaili na tafakari kuhusu uhusika wa watu katika uongozi wa jamii. Aidha, umaarufu wake hautokani tu na maneno ya lugha iliyozoewa katika jamii bali kupitia kwa tamathali za usemi ambazo huhusishwa kwa makusudi katika ubebaji wa ujumbe unaowasilishwa.Hivyo, utanzu huu unakuwa ni nyenzo ya kuwaelekeza, kuwaelimisha na kuwazindua watu kuhusu uwajibikaji wa kushiriki na kuchangia kwa dhati katika masuala ya siasa na uongozi wa jamii. Katika miaka ya mwanzo mwanzo mwa 1960 hadi miaka ya 1990, serikali za mataifa ya Afrika Mashariki zimekuwa zikijitahidi kwa kiwango fulani lakini hazijaudhibiti mwafaka wa kuhusisha umma katika masuala muhimu ya kitaifa. Kutokana na mabadiliko asasi za jamii ya sasa, kumekuwa na mitazamo tofauti tofauti kuhusu falsafa na matarajio ya watu kuhusu uelekezaji wa maisha yao. Baadhi ya wanajamii wamekuwa wakisaili na kukemea baadhi ya vitendo hasi vinavyoshuhudiwa katika mfumo wa utawala uliopo katika jamii. Kadhalika, ushairi wa Kiswahili umekuwa ukiyabainisha na kuyafakari baadhi ya masuala hayo kwa jicho pekuzi. Kwa maana hii, suala la demokrasia linashughulikiwa katika makala haya kwa kurejelea baadhi ya mashairi ya Abdilatif Abdalla, Sauti ya Dhiki (1973), Alamin Mazrui, Chembe cha Moyo (1988) na Said Ahmed Mohammed, Jicho la Ndani (2002)
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    Evaluation of popular functional christologies among the ndia christians of kirinyaga west sub county in kenya
    (Asian Journal of Science and Technology, 2017-10) Mwangi, Hezron; Murage, Josiah; Osamba, Joshiah
    The study evaluated popular functional Christologies among the Christians of Ndia in Kirinyaga West sub-county, Kenya. Popular Christologies reflect people’s real understanding of Jesus Christ. The objectives of the study were to establish social, political and economic functional Christologies among Ndia. The target population comprised of all churches in Ndia, which comprised of 25 Catholic, 29 Anglican, six Lutheran, six Presbyterian, 40 Pentecostal and ten Afro-Pentecostal congregations with an estimate population of 11,600 faithfuls.. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data showed that social, economic and political functional Christologies were well balanced. The study recommends that churches in Ndia encourage people to appreciate the relationship between work and wealth and medicine and healing. It is envisaged that the results of the study will be useful to social workers, scholars, churches, other non-governmental organizations and government agencies intending to or already working with the Ndia people.
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    Evaluation of Popular Functional Christologies among the Ndia Christians of Kirinyaga West Sub County in Kenya.
    (Asian Journal of Science and Technology, 2017-10) Mwangi, Hezron; Murage, Josiah; Osamba, Joshiah
    The study evaluated popular functional Christologies among the Christians of Ndia in Kirinyaga West sub-county, Kenya. Popular Christologies reflect people’s real understanding of Jesus Christ. The objectives of the study were to establish social, political and economic functional Christologies among Ndia. The target population comprised of all churches in Ndia, which comprised of 25 Catholic, 29 Anglican, six Lutheran, six Presbyterian, 40 Pentecostal and ten Afro-Pentecostal congregations with an estimate population of 11,600 faithfuls.. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data showed that social, economic and political functional Christologies were well balanced. The study recommends that churches in Ndia encourage people to appreciate the relationship between work and wealth and medicine and healing. It is envisaged that the results of the study will be useful to social workers, scholars, churches, other non-governmental organizations and government agencies intending to or already working with the Ndia people.
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    Eucharistic symbols: Other emerging meanings in the Anglican Church of Kenya.
    (Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 2017) Kiarie, George
    This article is set to argue that for a long time Eucharistic symbols have been interpreted in different contexts, with a universal understanding as the body and blood of Jesus Christ. However, recent studies in the Anglican Church of Kenya, diocese of Thika, reveal other emerging meanings of these symbols among Christians. Such meanings include foreign food product, prohibited product, symbol of modernity and finally symbol of neo-colonialism. This article is informed by qualitative data obtained from adherents in the diocese of Thika between 2013 and 2014.
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    The History and Culture of Idakho People of Western Kenya during Pre-colonial Period.
    (Sociology and Anthropology, 2017) Kavulavu, Leen
    This study attempted to broaden our understanding of the Idakho culture during pre-colonial period. The main aim of the research was to examine and unravel the past history pattern, cultural practices of Idakho people, to come up with written reference materials, to promote culture and enhance its contribution to community empowerment. The research used both secondary and primary data derived from field research. On completion, the data of this study has established facts such as determining the historical background of Idakho people and their migration to their first settlement in East Africa and assessed an extent at which the cultural and traditional practices have supported the Idakho community to this date.
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    The Chief Mau Mau Propagandist: Experiences that Prompted Gakaara wa Wanjau into Anti-Colonial Literary Activism
    (International Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 2017) Wairimu, Lucy Waithanwa; Mwaruvie, John; Maina, Lucy Muthoni
    This article examines the personal experiences of Gakaara wa Wanjau that influenced his political literary activism during the colonial period. The paper is informed by Relative Deprivation Theory. It demonstrates that Gakaara wa Wanjau was “The Chief Mau Mau Propagandist” as the British colonial authorities termed him. The paper opines that literary activism was crucial to the struggle for the attainment of the independence of Kenya. His literary works and collection of songs shaped the political consciousness of the Mau Mau fighters. The study concludes that he was a unique literary political activist who was able to take advantage of his contemporary issues to try to decolonize the African mind. Material for the article is derived from existing works, archival research and oral interviews. The study contributes to the enriching of the Mau Mau historiography in Kenya
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