Department of Humanities

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/chuka/244

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A cartographic analysis of Kĩmũthambĩ clause structure
(Chuka University, 2024) Kaburo Diana Kananu
Conventional analysis of the clause structure and clausal domains do not provide detailed information about the functional projections of the clausal domain, nor do they provide the architecture of constituents that appear in such constructions. In contrast, such details are apparent in the Cartography of Syntax approach as posited by Rizzi (1997) and subsequent work. This study analyzed the clause structure of Kĩmũthambĩ, a central Kenya Bantu language spoken in Tharaka-Nithi, Kenya. The study was guided by the Cartography of Syntax; an approach that provides a detailed hierarchical nature account of constituents in left periphery of the clause. The study analysed the structure of the simple clause, conditional and temporal complex sentences in Kĩmũthambĩ, with the main focus being on the structure of the left peripheries. Existing literature revealed that rarity of studies on clausal and sentential aspects of the various dialects of the Meru group. Cartographic studies of the left periphery in African languages exist but they are more concentrated on the western Africa Bantu languages and Chadic languages. Thus, this study set out to investigate how cartography of syntax can account for the mapping of constituents in a central Kenya Bantu language. The study is descriptive in approach. Data was sourced from naturally occurring and spontaneous discourse in natural settings. In addition, data was collected using a structure translation exercise administered to language consultants and the researcher’s intuition. Analysis of data was done by first analysing the structure of Kĩmũthambĩ simple clause and aspects of the left periphery. It was demonstrated that Kĩmũthambĩ left periphery has various functional projections and has the basic structure of ForceP-InterP-TopP-FocP-ModPFinP. As is cross linguistically common, complementizer ati ‘that’ has strong declarative features and kana ‘if/whether’ with strong interrogative feature. Semantically, complementizer ati is also a dubitative particle especially when it occurs with interrogative sentences. Movement of focus and topic constituents to the left periphery is as a result of the need mark [+focus] features at the Foc head position and [+topic] features at Top head position. The study concluded that syntactic elements that manifest in left periphery adhere to the cartographic analysis of the left periphery as postulated by Rizzi (1997). Furthermore, the study analyzed conditional and temporal clauses in the language and found out that they have an elaborate left periphery though not as elaborate as that of the simple clause. This research contributes to the study of Kĩmũthambĩ language which has little theoretical research attention. The study also contributes to the study of clause structure in Bantu languages which in turn adds to the body of knowledge on Bantu syntax and generally to linguistic studies in African languages.
A pragmatic analysis of Kĩmwĩmbĩ (e531) condolence messages
(Chuka University, 2024) Kinegeni Loyford Kariuki
This study pragmatically analyzes the messages of condolence in Kῖmwῖmbῖ. Condolence is one of Austin’s expressive speech acts. In a burial ceremony or a burial planning meeting, condolers are usually given a chance to express their sympathy and offer support to the bereaved through condolence. However, one challenge that condolers face when expressing condolence is choosing words that express their grief in a sensitive and impactful way. This is because wrong choice of words can easily damage the relationship between them and the bereaved especially if the faces of the bereaved are threatened by their words. The study adopted the qualitative and quantitative research approaches, where the researcher collected data with a view to explaining the condolence strategies, politeness strategies, speech acts features and presuppositions involved in conveying condolence in Kῖmwῖmbῖ and provided their descriptive statistics. The study used Austin and Searle Speech Act Theory, Brown and Levinson Politeness Theory and Yule Presupposition Theory to explain these pragmatic features. The researcher randomly sampled three burial planning meetings and three ceremonies to be used for the study. Purposive sampling was used to sample twenty condolence messages for analysis. The researcher then transcribed and translated into English the condolence utterances with the aforementioned pragmatic features. A guiding card was used to categorize the utterances with these pragmatic features. The data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively providing explanation of these features and giving their descriptive statistics in tables. The findings of the study established that making future-oriented remarks was the condolence strategy used the most in these condolence messages. Positive politeness strategy was the most used. The speech acts used in these messages were mostly expressive while the presupposition that was used the most was existential. The findings of this study add new knowledge to the existing in pragmatics, especially on politeness, speech acts, presupposition and burial discourse. The study also provides insights on how Kĩmwĩmbĩ speakers express condolence thus contributing to cross linguistic studies in condolence speech act. Similarly, the study provides data which can be used in other cross linguistic studies hence providing generalized conclusions on condolence speech act.
Accounting for Post-Verbal Affixes on the Kĩmwĩmbĩ Verb
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2016) Kĩnyua,AnnHidah and Mũriũngi, Peter
Bantu languages are known to cluster affixes on the verb root, some before the root and others after the verb root. Each of these affixes carries some meaning that contributes to the final meaning of the verb. This raises the question as to whether there are any principles that guide these combinations, and whether these affixes occur in any particular order. This paper is an account of all the suffixes that may occur on the Kĩmwĩmbĩ verb, as well as the order in which they occur, starting with the plugs that are idiomatic with the root and on outwards to the affix that occurs farthest from the root. The semantic import of these morphemes has also been dwelt upon as most of them are valency-changing. The paper also presents the variations in their occurrences, the associated phonological and syntactic processes as well as the constraints surrounding their occurrences. The population for the study was all Kĩmwĩmbĩ verbs containing post- verbal affixes and data for the study was obtained from respondents from Tharaka-Nithi sub-county, Kenya, who are competent speakers of Kĩmwĩmbĩ and who were purposively sampled. The instrument of data collection was a structure generation exercise based on Kĩmwĩmbĩ verbs. Data was also gathered using introspective reports. Researcher-generated structures were also instrumental in informing the analysis. This being a qualitative and descriptive study, data was analyzed in terms of words, phrases and sentences and rules were developed and discussed to account for the affix manifestation on the verbs. The data has been presented in the light of the Principles and Parameters theory. The results demonstrate that suffix occurrence on the agglutinated verb is orderly relative to the first affix to occur after the root. This study contributes new data for the continuing analysis of Kĩmwĩmbĩ, a language that is yet to be fully analyzed. It also contributes to the linguistic theory by advancing knowledge on the morphology of Bantu verbs and the typology of African languages
An analysis of Odera Oruka’s philosophic sagacity manifestation in the Tharaka community wise sayings in Tharaka Nithi county, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Ndumpa Faustine Muchui
Henry Odera Oruka defined philosophic sagacity as body of thought produced by persons considered wise by their communities. To understand the concept of philosophic sagacity discourse, this study contextualized that Odera Oruka‘s philosophic sagacity was first an attempt to distinguish and distance an African philosophical position from ethno-philosophy that was at the time vehemently criticized as lacking the critical aspect of professional philosophy, considered to be the hallmark of philosophy. Oruka considered philosophic sagacity as logical and critical African wisdom endowed to African individuals who because of the depth of their reasoning were able to build strong African traditional community. This research critically analyzed Odera Oruka‘s philosophic sagacity and its manifestation in Tharaka community wise sayings. By studying Odera Oruka‘s philosophical sagacity through the lens of Tharaka traditional wise sayings, the research‘s main objective was to understand the philosophical wisdom endowed and communicated in the community‘s wise sayings for individual and societal well-being. The need for the study was prompted by over emphasis on systematic Western philosophy since scholastic time that has continued to devalue traditional African wisdom which was not only a foundation of African philosophy but also the wisdom behind African traditional societal development. This problem was enhanced by the debate on misunderstanding among African and Western Philosophers as to what constitutes a philosophical concept or discourse in Africa. The study used rational-analytical philosophical approach in addressing the problem of the study. The critical- analytical approach or method of philosophizing that has been used for the analysis is widely associated with philosophy as an academic discipline and finds it‘s lasting expression in the questioning attitude of Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. The study employed three theories, namely: communitarianism, hermeneutics and postcolonial theory. The study was library based, drawing resources from published and unpublished works, journals as well as digital sources. The research findings point to contribution of deeper understanding of African wisdom and an added knowledge in the academic pool in the field of African Philosophy.
Analysis of Kantian categorical imperative’s relevance in the context of Kenyan political unrest between 1992-2022
(Chuka University, 2024-10) Mutinda Theophilus Nzengu
Following Immanuel Kant‘s philosophical argument on universal moral principles, what he calls categorical imperative, this research sought to find out whether Kenyan political unrest can be resolved by applying Immanuel Kant‘s categorical imperative. The period 1992 to 2022 was relevant because from 1992 multi-partyism was allowed back to Kenyan political spheres. The aim of the study was to critically find out possibility of the application of the Kantian imperative as a method of conflict resolution. The objectives were; to critically analyze Kant‘s universal moral principle, to examine the application of the concept of Kant‘s universal moral principle in the context of political unrest in Kenya between 1992 and 2022, and to critically analyze the challenges and limitations of applying Kant‘s universal moral principle to Kenyan political unrest between 1992 and 2022. For varying reasons, Kenya has experienced persistent political unrest between 1992 and 2022. Over that time, various solutions have been tried to resolve the unrest, however, with less or no success to deter it from happening again. With the application of Kant‘s categorical imperative into the real situations of the country‘s political unrest, such issues will be unearthed and addressed appropriately. However, this application should be with full knowledge of its challenges and limitations. The study was library based, carried out in Chuka University post graduate library. It used Kantian critical method which was used to analyze and determine the application of rational principles to an existential situation. In so doing, it exposed the errors of reason in its pursuit of metaphysical knowledge of the world. The analysis was presented using a descriptive approach qualitatively. The study contributed new and additional knowledge to the field of moral philosophy and social political philosophy, as well as to the society by way of advocating the application of Kant‘s philosophical ideas with a keen attention to its limitations and challenges to conflict resolution mechanisms. For this universe to be a habitable place for all of us, we should always aim at doing actions based on laws or maxims which we can at the same time wish that they could be applied anywhere else. Such a universalization of moral principles makes them applicable and practical in all areas of life. When people are bound by universal laws, we are assured that human rights will be respected, there will be non violence and coexistence in the universe.
CDEV 00140: BASISC FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
(2023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 0140: BASIC FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
(2023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 0141: PRINCIPLES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
(0023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 0141: PRINCIPLES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
(0023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 0209: COMMUNITY HEALTH
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 0023-08-28) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 0210: FAMILY STUDIES
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 0023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 223: PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGIES IN COMMUNITY
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 250: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECOTOURISM
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-08-30) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 252: SOCIAL MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-08-31) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
Colonial transformation of the Aembu access to land and labour division systems on food crop production and food security, 1906-1963
(Chuka University, 2024) Mbogo Mary Wangai
Expansion of British colonialists to Kenya and their interaction with the Aembu people changed the traditional system of access to land and labour division in food crop production. British colonial practices and policies undermined the Aembu land and labour systems in food crop production and replaced them with new policies. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyse the effects of colonialism on the system of access to land and labour division in food crop production on the Aembu in Embu County between 1906 and 1963. The study’s objectives were; to explore the Aembu pre-colonial land and labour systems on food crop production in Embu County up to 1906, to examine colonial transformation of the Aembu access to land and labour division in food crop production from 1906 to1963 and to analyse the influence of the co-existence of pre-colonial and colonial access to land and labour systems on food security from 1906 to 1963. The study used descriptive research design. Articulation of Modes of Production Theory was employed to examine the interaction between the pre-capitalist and the capitalist modes of production. The study was conducted in Embu Easts sub-county, Embu West sub-county and Embu North sub-county. Targeted population was16,144 people based on the 2019 Census from which a sample size of 50 respondents was used. Purposive sampling method and snowballing technique was utilized to reach out to the most resourceful respondents. Data was collected from oral interviews, archival records and secondary sources which were corroborated to guarantee validity and reliability of the study. Oral interviews and focus group discussions were used as instruments of data collection. Data was analysed using the Qualitative Data Analysis method. The study found out that the pre-colonial Aembu food crop producers had elaborate systems of land ownership and land use under clan heads which guaranteed all members land in different ecological areas suitable for production of crops. The land access system further accommodated practices like shifting cultivation and intercropping for increased food productivity. Further, the study revealed that the pre-colonial division of labour in food crop production incorporated all household members for enhanced food supply. However, when pre-colonial labour system was integrated into the colonial system through forced labour, low wages, migrant and communal labour it resulted to significant decline in food crop production. The study concluded that British colonialism transformed the Aembu land and labour systems while co-existence of pre-colonial and colonial access to land and labour systems on production of food crops exposed the community to food shortages. The study contributes to social, political and economic historiography of the Aembu people.
Creation of Identities in Political Conflict: Kenya’s Newspaper Discourse
(International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature (IJSELL), 2016) Karuri,Mary ,Muriungi Peter
This article looks into the construction of political identities in the discourse of two Kenyan newspaper headline stories covering the period of the Kenyan Coalition Government formed in 2008 to stem political conflict that arose after the disputed elections of 2007.It focuses on the two principals of the coalition government, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Using a Critical Discourse Analysis(CDA) approach, the study analyses newspaper headline stories of the two leading newspapers in Kenya, Daily Nation and The Standard to gauge how the newspapers created identities for the two principals in the context of the political situation that existed then. The Prime Minister (PM) Raila Odinga is seen as a hero but also a victim of political forces. He is also evaluated as a peacemaker who quells conflicts brought about by his co-principal. President Kibaki, on the hand is depicted as an opportunist, anti-reformist and an ineffective leader. The newspapers exploit discourse strategies such as evaluative lexicon, structuring, schematic form and metaphor to create the identities and to persuade the audience to adopt a certain ideological stance.
Critical approach to climate change mitigation in the light of Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist philosophy
(Chuka University, 2024) Massawa Charles Valentine
In light of the urgent global climate crisis; the loss of life and destruction of biodiversity, and the laxity on the part of governments to implement climate policies, scholars are compelled to reevaluate the existing measures designed to mitigate the multifaceted effects of climate change. This study was prompted by the pressing need to critically and creatively address the impact of climate change on human existence, as the current climatic state puts the very essence of “existence” at risk as shown in the literature review that climate change causes existential risk. Never before has man faced such an alarming threat to his existence. The primary objective of this research was to elucidate the current climatic conditions, analyze the existing initiatives to combat global warming, adversely caused by human activities, and speculate on the future consequences of inaction. Recognizing the limitations of solely scientific approaches, the study sought to forge a philosophico-scientific synthesis, incorporating philosophical aspects such as epistemology, the power of critical and creative thinking, ethical considerations, and existentialist perspectives. Drawing inspiration from existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, this research sought to blend philosophical insights with scientific approaches to tackle climate change crisis. The study adopted Kantian deontological ethical theory, anchored in Kantian categorical imperatives as the theoretical framework for guiding the inquiry. Employing a variety of philosophical methods, including conceptual analysis, synthesis, explication, reflection, speculation, and critical thinking, and the scientific methods of observation and induction, the study embodied an attitude of constant and rigorous questioning. By challenging assumptions taken for granted by conventional thinking, this research endeavored to pave the way for a comprehensive and innovative approach to address the global climate change catastrophe. The study being library based, data collection, involved careful selection of materials including publication, journal articles and books relevant to the subject matter under investigation. Through its critical analysis, the study found that the existing climate policies have been insufficient in addressing climate change due to among other things the laxity and lack of political goodwill on the part of governments as well as existence of bureaucratic and hierarchical issues in institutions, a factor that impedes the implementation of policies. Consequently, upon examination of Jean-Paul Sartre’s philosophy, the study found that the inspiration Sartre’s philosophy offers especially the focus on individual initiative is valuable in bringing about social and behavior change to adopt environmental friendly behavior.
ECDE 448: CHALLENGES OF FAMILY IN A CHANGING SOCIETY
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
ECDI 343: PHYSICS SUBJECT METHODS STREAMS
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
EDCI 211: PRINCIPLES AND THEORY OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-04-26) CHUKA UNIVERSITY

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