Abstract
Among the Mwimbi linguistic group, expressions exist or are used for a variety of purposes including communication and all are geared towards socialization of societal members so as to enable each fit in their expected caliber. In the social context words and expressions have been used by Mwimbi speakers to explicitly devalue women by normally not saying what they mean. The purpose of this study therefore, is to establish the notions expressed by cultural and social beliefs and practices upon which devaluing of women is based. The objective of this paper is to find out the cultural and social notions and expressions used to devalue women in Kimwimbi Language. Halliday's Social Semiotics Theory was used. A qualitative research design was used. Data was collected in Mwimbi in Ganga Ward Maara sub county, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The population includes all the expressions that contribute to devaluing women in Kimwimbi. Speakers of the language were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected using focus group discussion guides and a semi structured interview guide. The paper established that the Kimwimbi Language uses expressions that are heavily embedded on cultural and social attitudes to devalue women.
Highlights
In the daily use of language people do learn words from dictionaries but rather infer their meanings in particular contexts (Cameron, 1986)
5.1 Cultural and Social Notions that Contribute to Devaluing of Women in Kimwimbi Language
During the analysis it was found out that the Kimwimbi Language and gender devaluing of women, it emerged that various cultural strongholds are responsible for the devaluing of women
Summary
In the daily use of language people do learn words from dictionaries but rather infer their meanings in particular contexts (Cameron, 1986). The context of the speaker, the goal and/or the purpose of the talk and beliefs, attitudes and values are implemented in it In this respect, Eckert(1998) talks of a Community of Practice(COP) and defines it as a group of people linked by a common purpose with ways of doing things, ways of talking, beliefs, values and power relations to mention but a few. Eckert(1998) talks of a Community of Practice(COP) and defines it as a group of people linked by a common purpose with ways of doing things, ways of talking, beliefs, values and power relations to mention but a few This means practices emerge as people relate jointly and the endeavor to co-exist as members of one community contributes to each member’s social identity and devaluing occurs within such communities acting on the devalued to create a personality. This is usually achieved through a people’s language in constant use and in a social setting and in this case the Mwimbi community language of devaluing which acts on women and create various identities connoted by expressions
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