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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:An Investigation into Language Attitudes of Secondary-School Students in Zimbabwe
Authors:Mparutsa, Cynthia
Thondhlana, Juliet
Crawhall, N.
Year:1990
Periodical:Zambezia
Volume:17
Issue:1
Pages:85-100
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Zimbabwe
Southern Africa
Subjects:language usage
sociolinguistics
Education and Oral Traditions
language
Language and languages
attitudes
students
Secondary schools
External link:https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/AJA03790622_315
Abstract:This article explores some of the contradictions in the attitudes towards Shona and English of schoolchildren in Zimbabwe that were discovered in the data collected for a study of language attitudes among secondary school pupils in 1989. A questionnaire was given to 100 upper secondary school pupils. The questionnaire was divided into two parts, one dealing with language use, the other with language attitudes. The results suggest that at least two primary contradictions exist in the language attitudes of the respondents: a contradiction between use and attitudes, and a contradiction between attitudes towards indigenous language development and personal advancement. These contradictions are recognized ideological issues in Zimbabwe. The liberation war put considerable emphasis on pride in indigenous culture and language. Yet, since independence, English has remained the 'de facto' language of power and economic advancement. School curricula reflect this contradiction in a number of ways. Appendices contain the questionnaire questions and responses. Bibliogr., notes.
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