Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-177) / The study is an investigation into nation building through the national anthem in Zimbabwe. It
takes a sociolinguistic dimension where the languages used to sing the national anthem in
Zimbabwe are interrogated. The impetus behind the study is that Zimbabwe introduced a new
language policy through the constitution where sixteen languages are officially recognised.
While citizens look forward to the use of their languages, national symbols such as the national
anthem still exist in dominant languages, at least officially. The study therefore sought to find
out the views and language choices of citizens when it comes to singing the national anthem.
This purpose was fulfilled by eliciting data through questionnaires which were distributed to
four areas where marginalised languages are spoken. Participants were drawn from Plumtree,
Gwanda, Hwange and Binga. Apart from questionnaires, focus group interviews were
conducted with language activists who participate in language associations. Individual
interviews were conducted with academics in the area of language. The conceptual framework
of the study is nation building which is underpinned by four tenets, while the theory that guided
the study is Bourdieu’s theory of social practice. The conceptual framework and theoretical
framework were chosen to allow the study to investigate nation building in relation to the sociopolitical context which determines the use of languages in different spheres in Zimbabwe. The
study extricates that language is politically malleable and at the same time has the potential to
make or break the nation. Respondents were of mixed views concerning the non-use of their
languages in the national anthem, bringing out the hegemonic tendencies. The findings of the
study show that language is a form of identity and a strong tool of nation building. However,
language policies which are not clear tend to confuse the citizens and there is need for the
political elite to be involved in the implementation of such policies. The study hence advocates
for marginalised languages to be accorded the status they need in order to be used for national
symbol expression. / African Languages / D. Phil. (African Languages)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/26606 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Dlodlo, Sindile |
| Contributors | Masubelele, Mthikazi Roselina, Phaahla, P. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiii, 181 leaves) : 1 map (color), illustrations (mostly color), application/pdf |
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