African Languages and Societies Commons^™

Discursive And Ideological Issues Foregrounding The Attitudinal Conceptualization Of Yahoo Yahoo (Internet Fraud) In Selected Nigerian Comedy Skits, Temitope Michael Ajayi, Aishat Lare Husseini

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

Cybercrime, Yahoo Yahoo in the Nigerian context, has emerged as one of the major issues the global space is currently facing, and as such has received scholarly attention, mostly from the sociological, anthropological, and legal perspectives, but very scant attention from linguistics. From alinguistic perspective, this study thus investigates the discursive-ideological issues foregrounding Nigerians’ attitudinal orientation towards Yahoo Yahoo (Internet Fraud) as portrayed in selected Nigerian comedy skits. Data comprised four purposively selected comedy skits by Lasisi Elenu and Prince Tgb downloaded from their social media pages (YouTube and TikTok). With analytical insight from van Dijk’s socio-cognitive model of ideology, …

The Interplay Of Morphology, Syntax, And Semantics In Kuria Verb Extensions Within The Mara Region, Mary Charwi

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Verb extension morphological affixes that significantly alter verb meaning are a defining characteristic of Bantu languages. This paper investigates the morphosyntactic behaviour, semantic implications, and functional roles of extensions within Kuria, a Bantu language of Tanzania. The study adopts Hyman’s morphocentric approach, specifically the CARP template (Causative-Applicative-Reciprocal-Passive), as its foundational framework to test whether Kuria adheres to this pan-Bantu default ordering. The data were collected in Tarime District (2014-2015) using a mixed methods approach, comprising questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and video stimuli with 13 rural and urban speakers, and text analysis (the Kuria Bible). Through rigorous morphosyntactic parsing, the analysis reveals …

The Syntax And Semantics Of Reciprocal Constructions In Chibarwe: A Lexical Mapping Account, Tendai Chirimaunga

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Bantu languages have a robust structure, which is usually stated to be agglutinative, accommodates affixations of a wide range of morphemes both as prefixes (to the left of the root), as well suffixes (to the right of the root) before placing the terminal vowel. In their verbal morphology, the reciprocal is one of the many derivational affixes that have, however, not gained similar prominence as the study of the applicative and the causative construction. The thrust of this study is to investigate the syntax and semantics of reciprocal constructions in ChiBarwe, a marginalised cross-border language spoken in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. …

Associate Professor Of Linguistics, Tasbeeh Yasser Elessaily Tye, Wessam Morsi Wm

English Language and Literature

Code-mixing occurs when speakers alternate between two or more languages within a single utterance, and it is used

in different social contexts such as academic, media, and daily conversations. Given the paucity of studies conducted on code-

mixing phenomenon at the university level in Egypt, the current study aims to examine the perception of phycology Department

students toward English-Arabic code-mixing at a private university in Egypt. The participants of the study were 70 Egyptian female

and male students that aged from 17-23 years old. A survey of 18 questions was distributed to the participants. The qualitative and

quantitative methods were …

Investigating Linguistic Boundaries: The Impact Of English-Arabic Codemixing Among Psychology Students In Egypt, Tasbeeh Yasser Elessaily Ty, Wessam Morsi Wm

English Language and Literature

Code-mixing occurs when speakers alternate between two or more languages within a single utterance, and it is used in different social contexts such as academic, media, and daily conversations. Given the paucity of studies conducted on codemixing phenomenon at the university level in Egypt, the current study aims to examine the perception of phycology Department students toward English-Arabic code-mixing at a private university in Egypt. The participants of the study were 70 Egyptian female and male students that aged from 17-23 years old. A survey of 18 questions was distributed to the participants. The qualitative and quantitative methods were used …

Ethnobotanical Surveys And Morphological Analysis Of Medicinal Plant Names In Lɔ́Mɔngo (Lomongo) C60 At The Elandisha Mavaolo Protected Area In Northeastern Democratic Republic Of Congo, Jean-Baptiste Grodya Musafiri, Jean-Bosco Njango Ngonda, Reddy Shutcha Ehata, Charles Kumbatulu Sita, Chrispina Alphonce, Helene B. Mavar Manga Sodila

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The aim of this research is to contribute to the documentation of Lomongo, a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In this study, we focused on two morphological aspects of medicinal plant names in Lomongo: nominal morphology and morpho-syntax. To collect data, we engaged with two categories of informants: primary informants (traditional healers) and secondary informants (native Lomongo speakers). Ethnobotanical and ethnolinguistic surveys were conducted in the “Elandisha” Mavaolo area through participant observation, semi-structured interview guides, audio recordings, and photographs. The plants identified were documented in situ with the assistance of botanists from "Matiti-Lisanga," an interdisciplinary …

Morphological And Semantic Analysis Of Plant Names Attested In Hehe Language In Tanzania, Onesmo Simon Nyinondi

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines the morphological structure of plant names in Hehe, a Bantu language spoken in the Iringa Region of Tanzania, specifically in the rural areas of Mufindi and Kilolo districts, involving 169 participants. Data were collected through free listings, field interviews (also known as walk-in-the-woods interviews), focus group discussions, and the analysis of written texts containing Hehe plant names. The study shows that Hehe plant names consist of a noun class prefix and a noun stem, with most falling into the 3/4 and 5/6 pairs. Some plant names are also categorised in the 7/8, mainly small plants, and 9/10 …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Mozambican Languages And Their Role In Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Preservation: The Case Of Medicinal Plants In Anyungwe Community, Crisófia Langa Da Câmara, Amani Lusekelo

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Since language is accredited for the preservation and transference of indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) across generations, this paper presents the findings about the correlation between languages and indigenous knowledge system of the Anyungwe community. Specifically, the paper presents the outcome of the investigation of medicinal plants used by the Anyungwe in Tete Province in Mozambique. The data comes from the Marara area in the Cinyungwe speaking village in Tete Province. Images of medicinal plants were photographed in Tete Province by a research assistant, and their uses were explained by three elders living in Kachembe. Our findings illustrate that IEK studies …

Singing A Wide Heart: Timbre And Sung Prayer In Senegal’S Layène Community, Margaret L. Rowley

Yale Journal of Music & Religion

Layène sung prayer (called sikkar) is embedded within the religious practices of the Layène community, a minority Sufi order in Dakar, Senegal. This article explores the functions of Layène sung prayer, focusing especially on its loud, vibrational timbre. Both men and women vocalists in call-and-response sing loudly, using wide vibrato and electronic amplification to ensure that the sikkar reaches the inhabitants—both human and non-human—in the surrounding community. This article demonstrates that the distinctive timbre of Layène sung prayer serves the spiritual functions of binding the community together in spiritual and social cohesion, increasing individual and collective generosity, and demarcating …

Review Of: The Life And Thought Of H. Odera Oruka: Pursuing Justice In Africa, Robert Press

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of: Election 2024 South Africa: Countdown To Coalition, Gary Prevost

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Darfur And Sudan Recommended Webinars

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Escalation Pathways To The April War And The Dynamics Of Sudan's Political Economy, Salih Mustafa, Osama Hassan, Nagi Alassam

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper analyzes the escalation processes that led to the outbreak of the April 2023 war in Sudan, based on Wolfram Lacher's theoretical framework of "escalation processes". The paper focuses on tracing the escalatory trajectories that preceded the war, analyzing the complex interplay between structural, political, and economic factors, as well as the impact of the political economy on the dynamics of the conflict and its escalation to full-scale war.

The Sudanese Identity In The Mirror Of Colonial And Post-Independence History, Abdalla Galaleldeen

The Journal of Social Encounters

After independence, Sudan’s political elite adopted colonial-inspired policies that sought to divide the country into North and South (Arabs versus Africans). This policy was further reinforced by the civil wars and by the failures of the Sudanese political elite to construct a cohesive national identity. In the post-independence period, one elite group aligned itself with an Arab identity, while another embraced an African identity. Logically, therefore, both identities—Islamic-Arab and African—encompass the majority of the population. Yet, while Islamists and Africanists each claimed to represent this majority, neither addressed the contradictions inherent in their positions. As the tension between the Islamic-Arab …

The Conflict In Sudan: An Overview, Mad Gabriel

The Journal of Social Encounters

It has been more than two years since the war erupted in Sudan. Although the crisis initially started between two warring parties, it has expanded beyond the two with the involvement of multiple actors. However, the current conflict is complicated and has deep historical origins. It increased after the 2019 revolution, with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battling for power and control. On the other hand, the situation has deteriorated dramatically, as the economy suffered from the continuation of the war, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, Health systems have crumbled, schooling has …

Sudan: A War Of Atrocities Report Of The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission For The Sudan, - Annual Report Of The United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights And Reports Of The Office Of The High Commissioner And The Secretary-General

The Journal of Social Encounters

This report documents attacks on civilians and objects essential for their survival in Sudan. It concludes that both parties to the conflict violated international human rights and humanitarian law, with most violations amounting to war crimes. The Rapid Support Forces’ conduct may also constitute crimes against humanity, including persecution and extermination. The report calls for accountability and sets out a roadmap for justice.

Introduction: Continuing The Exploration Of The Darfur And Sudan Crisis, Mawa Mohamed, Ron Pagnucco

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Late Father Rev. John Anthony Kaiser: “A Case For Justice”, Mbuthi Gathenji

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

On The 25th Anniversary Of The Political Assassination Of A Human Rights Hero From Minnesota, Fr. John Kaiser, Ron Pagnucco, Peter Kimeu Ngui, Elizabeth M. Brown, Mary Wangari Sebastian

The Journal of Social Encounters

We here at St. John's University (SJU) in Minnesota, a co-publisher of the JSE, share a special connection with Fr. John Kaiser, the subject of these articles in his honor. Fr. Kaiser was born in a parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud in 1934, in which the university is located, and graduated from SJU's preparatory high school and matriculated at SJU for two years before leaving to join the U.S. Army in 1954. He later entered the seminary and in 1964 was ordained a priest in the Mill Hill religious order, which sent him to Kenya. In August 2000, …

Engaging The Somali Diaspora: A Case Study Of One Agency’S Community Programming Approach, Farhia Abdi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This case study investigates how a local community agency engages with the Somali diaspora to design and implement culturally responsive services, such as the Settlement and Integration Program. It also explores the potential of fostering meaningful dialogue with community members to inform the development of culturally sensitive programming. The research question guiding this study was developed by findings from previous research, which highlighted the significance of community engagement, sustained dialogue, and the necessity for agencies to design clearly defined programs. These programs should prioritize active participation from community members in both the creation and implementation of tailored initiatives.

Hezbollah's Military Setback: From Strategic Strength To Political Dilemma—A Comprehensive Analysis, Habib Albadawi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This study examines the unprecedented military transformation of Hezbollah from 2024 to 2025, analyzing how technological superiority and strategic constraints have fundamentally altered the effectiveness of irregular warfare organizations. Through extensive analysis of organizational adaptation, technological disruption, and external dependencies, this research investigates the paradox of how advanced military capabilities, when constrained by external dependencies, can become operational liabilities rather than strategic assets. The study employs multiple theoretical frameworks to understand this transformation and its implications for future irregular warfare.

Herejías En La Ciudad Global: Legados De Tercermundismo, Asimilación Y Desplazamiento Urbano En Las Narrativas Literarias Contemporáneas Latinx Y Afroportuguesa (2000-2022)., Ricardo Martín Coloma

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Esta tesis examina de manera comparativa dos corpus de novelas contemporáneas que interrogan los múltiples espacios de poder y vulnerabilidad que experimentan las diásporas latinx y africanas que logran movilidad social a través del trabajo en las ciudades globales de Nueva York y Lisboa. Mediante el análisis de autores tan diversos como la mexicano-puertorriqueña Xochitl González, la dominicana Cleyvis Natera, el puertorriqueño-ecuatoriano Ernesto Quiñonez, la angoleña-portuguesa Telma Tvon, la angoleña-portuguesa Djamilia Pereira y el angoleño Kalaf Epalanga, establezco un diálogo entre las narrativas literarias de autores caribeños de la diáspora sobre la ciudad de Nueva York y las diásporas africanas …

Swahili And English Sell, But What About Iraqw And Sukuma? Tanzanian Native Languages And Ethnic Affiliations In Bottom-Up Commercial Signage, Adventina Buberwa

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Policy statements in Tanzania forbid the use of ethnic community languages but permits Swahili and English in the public space. In this paper, we question the total absence of ethnic community languages in signposts in which previous studies of linguistic landscape attested the presence of unpermitted languages of Arabic, Chinese and Hindi. Under the auspices of the social identity theory, we envisaged the investigation and analysis of personal and place names on privately-owned commercial signposts. It has come out clearly that owners of the businesses represented would no doubt hope that the names they include in their signage would appeal …

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Representation Of Diseases And Health Care In Selected African Gyno-Texts, Rachael K. Aderoju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the interdisciplinary field of literature and medicine through a feminist psychoanalytic lens, focusing on how Nigerian female writers represent illness, healthcare, and medical ethics in post-independence gyno-texts. Traditionally, scholarship in this field has centered on andro-texts (literary works authored by men), leaving a critical gap in the exploration of women’s perspectives. This research addresses that gap by analyzing nine prose works authored by Nigerian women, including texts by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ayobami Adebayo, Lola Shoneyin, and Samira Haruna Sanusi. These texts are examined for their portrayal of diseases such as infertility, cancer, bipolar disorder, and renal failure, …

Second Language Learning Among Pre-Primary School Children: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Global Research Trends, Fabiola Hassan, Reuben Sungwa

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This bibliometric study investigates global research trends on phonological awareness in second language learning (SLL) among pre-primary school children from 2014 to 2023. The study utilizes data from the Dimensions database, and is guided by three objectives: analysing publication volume trends, identifying leading contributors (countries, institutions, authors, journals), and mapping dominant research themes. It employs the VOSviewer—a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks—to conduct co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence analyses. The results show a steady increase in research output, peaking in 2021, reflecting a growing scholarly interest. The United States and United Kingdom dominated research contributions, with institutions—like …

The Intonation Of Questions In The Cinyambwa Dialect Of Cigogo Language, Maulid Kiruya, Devet Goodness

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines the intonation systems of content and yes-no questions in Cinyambwa, a dialect of Cigogo Bantu language (G.11 in Guthrie’s classification). The study investigates the intonation patterns of different questions to show how content questions are differentiated from yes-no questions prosodically. The study was conducted in Makutopora village, Manyoni district, Singida region, Tanzania. Data were obtained from a sample of four (4) Cinyambwa speakers who were purposely selected. Elicitation was used as a data collection method with the aid of a sentence list, interviews, and picture-based tasks as data collection instruments. The study was guided by the autosegmental-metrical …

A Linguistic Analysis Of Humour In Selected Tanzanian Stand-Up Comedy Shows: A Script-Based Semantic Approach, Okoa Simile

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study analyses humour as a culturally situated linguistic practice by examining how humour is constructed in selected Tanzanian stand-up comedy shows. Specifically, it sought to analyse the linguistic devices comedians use to evoke humour. The study is guided by Victor Raskin’s script-based semantic theory of humour (SSTH). The theory posits that humour arises from the opposition of two conflicting scripts within a linguistic structure. The qualitative research approach was used to guide the study processes. The study analysed nine (9) performances by famous Tanzanian comedians Mr. Eliud Samwel, Mr. Abdalla Musa Njalamoto (TX Dulla), Mr. Silvester Mujuni (Mpoki), and …

The Idea Of Ethiopia: Heritage Tourism In The Land Of Origins, Hosaena T. Tilahun

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

Hosaena Tilahun's "The Idea of Ethiopia" explores how heritage tourism in Addis Ababa cultivates Ethiopian patriotism and exceptionalism. Through an in-depth, close reading of the National Museum of Ethiopia, Unity Park, and the Oromo Cultural Center, supplemented by observations at the Red Terror Memorial Museum and Dergue Prison, Tilahun examines how heritage sites shape the political memory of national resistance, revolution, and Black internationalist thought. Tilahun discovers omissions of Menelik II's role in the Red Sea Slave network, encountering museum and archival silences about the internal conquest of peoples peripheral to the northern Abyssinian empire. As these heritage site renovations …