The influence of Sheng and non-target structures on performance of Kiswahili composition: a case study of selected schools in Nairobi

Abstract

This study focuses on the morphosyntactic errors in written Kiswahili that result from the influence of Sheng and non-target structures. The study attempts a morphosyntactic analysis of Sheng and non-target structure to determine their influence on Standard Kiswahili proficiency of form three learners. The main objective of the study was to identify the Sheng morphosyntactic structures, provide linguistic description and explore communication strategies used by learners in their attempt to attain linguistic competence. A detailed typology of these morphosyntactic deviations is given and their source and implications on the national examination discussed. The study was guided by Interlanguage theory as proposed by Selinker (1972). Sheng morphosyntactic structures were analysed using the five successive steps of error analysis theoretical model of identification, description, explanation, evaluation and recommendation. The sample of the study consisted of 368 learners drawn from nine schools from the eight divisions of Nairobi County namely; Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani and Westlands The sample population was obtained through purposeful and stratified sampling. The data comprised of oral and written compositions by form three students from nine schools. The scripts were marked and oral compositions transcribed. The errors obtained from the written and oral compositions and the identified errors attributable to Sheng interlanguage were analysed and categorized into five grammatical categories. Errors related to noun classes were also analysed and the correct Kiswahili Standard form given. The frequency and distribution of errors was determined subject to the five grammatical categories and in conformity with the objectives of the study. Statistical distribution of Sheng morphosyntactic structures obtained from the corpus generated by the learners were presented. Manifestation of the psycholinguistic processes as put forward by Selinker was assessed in terms of their distribution and frequency. A brief comparative assessment of Sheng and pidgin was done to determine whether Sheng can be classified in the same category with pidgin. On the basis of the findings of this study, Sheng morphosyntactic structures were found to be a prevalent feature in the written and oral compositions of form three learners. This is a major hindrance to the attainment of curriculum goals. The findings from the analysis revealed that the oral and written form three compositions have various Sheng-related morphosyntactic errors that hinder the attainment of the objectives of the prescribed Kiswahili syllabus. In light of these findings, several recommendations were made, among them formulating school- based language policies that will encourage Standard Kiswahili proficiency.