English-Kiswahili code switching in Easy Fm: The Markedness Model.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine whether the Markedness Model as proposed by Myers Scotton (1993) would be applied to determine the social motivation for English Kiswahili Code Switching data, recorded from radio interactive programmes. It was hypothesized that the maxims used in the model would be observed in the radio interactive programmes. The study was based on data which consisted of utterances that were recorded and transcribed from Easy FM programmes namely: "Easy Breakfast", "Easy connection" and "Easy Jam". The data was classified, analysed and discussed using the Markedness Model. The findings of the study showed that some of the maxims of the Markedness Model were observed in the data, and as such it can be said to be universally valid. This thesis is organised in such a way that, chapter one deals with a summary of what will be done in the study, chapter two deals with issues in code switching generally and also as it relates to Markedness. In chapter three and four, the data is analysed and finally, chapter five gives a general summary of the study's findings, conclusion and recommendations.