Language maintenance mechanisms of Kigiriama language in Ganze Sub-county, Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Global figures and reports by UNESCO indicate that 90% of the world’s languages are endangered. Kigiriama not being a minority language may attract little or no attention in terms of language shift and maintenance investigation. However, in spite Kigiriama having an estimated number of 600, 000 speakers and the trend at the moment is that many of its speakers and especially the youth are shifting to the use of Kiswahili language in many domains raises questions on the concept of language shift and maintenance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate on language maintenance mechanisms of Kigiriama language. The study employed Fishman’s Domain theory and Holmes’ theory on language maintenance. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The findings of the study reveal that language maintenance in Kigiriama language is done at family domain, community domain, and media domain and through language planning policy. The study concludes that language the use of Kigiriama language in both formal and informal will enhance language maintenance efforts of indigenous languages.