Towards an understanding of translanguaging among traders and customers of soweto market in Lusaka, Zambia
| dc.contributor.author | Namatama, Katundu Bronah | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-02-12T13:50:09Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-02-12T13:50:09Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
| dc.description | Thesis | en |
| dc.description.abstract | The study framed as “Towards an Understanding of Translanguaging among Traders and Customers at Soweto Market in Lusaka” attempts to address the dearth in literature about real life language practices by using a market place as a point of departure from the focus on translanguaging in bilingual education. The study recognises the fact that little is known about translanguaging practices among those in the trade domain in Zambia. This work investigated the dominant and other languages that feed into and provide evidence for translanguaging practice in order to unravel the motivation behind translanguaging strategy and how it is practiced among traders and customers of Soweto market. These were all analysed on the tenets of Conversational Analysis, Speech Accommodation Theory, Translanguaging Theory and Multilingualism. The study utilised the qualitative approach. Data were obtained by the semi-structured interview, audio recording and general observation. Through a careful analysis of translanguaging strategy among traders and customers the outcome of the study revealed that the languages spoken in Soweto market by traders, customers and those who just pass by, included; Nyanja, Bemba, English, Tonga, Lozi, Luvale, Lunda, Lenje, Ila, Soli, Mbunda, Tumbuka, Chewa, Ngoni, Kaonde and Swahili, with Nyanja being the dominant language. The most translanguaged languages during a transaction were Nyanja, Bemba and English. The study further shows how speakers in a market setting of Lusaka stylize their multiple languages by dissolving the traditional linguistic boundaries through the use of the extended linguistic repertoire from their language system. The study revealed that translanguaging practices among traders and customers during a transaction was motivated by speech convergence strategy, speech divergence strategy, speech maintenance strategy, Non-lexical availability, persuasive strategy, the need to give answers to questions or ask questions or seek information, the need to describe, to clarify misunderstandings, explain or dispute the allegations placed on some products being sold, effective communication, and the Social Status of the speakers. Therefore, traders and customers translanguage to have a clearer conveyance of messages in order to increase not only customers turn up and profit but also promote inclusion, participation, approval, ascertain social identity and understanding so as to make complete meaning. In this study the researcher has laid down the foundation for future researchers who may wish to explore further dimensions of translanguaging among traders and customers. Studies should be conducted to establish the factors that influence the use and function of English language in an informal setting like a market. Furthermore, studies on translanguaging should be conducted in other domains and sectors of the country so as to determine and identify its use, function and benefits to those who practise it. In addition, while a majority of existing studies on translanguaging are on face to face oral interactions, there is need to conduct studies on how translanguaging works in other genres and modalities of communication so as to establish on whether or not the translanguaging strategies are different. Key words: Translanguaging, Motivation, Soweto market | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/6861 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.publisher | The University of Zambia | en |
| dc.subject | Translanguaging--Zambia | en |
| dc.title | Towards an understanding of translanguaging among traders and customers of soweto market in Lusaka, Zambia | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |