The triglossic relationship of Zezuru, Karanga and other Shona dialects in the speech and writing of Shona as a language in Zimbabwean primary schools

Abstract

The research has endeavoured to highlight the problems of the triglossic relationship of Zezuru, Karanga and other Shona dialects in the speech and writing of Shona language in Zimbabwean schools. It focused on how Zezuru as a high variety Shona dialect has adversely affected the performance of learners writing 'O' level Shona examinations in Secondary school. The current Shona orthography lacks some sounds from other dialects and this makes it incapable of handling adoptives from other dialects and basing Shona writing on one dialect kills the other dialects and in turn the Shona language. The current Shona orthography based on two major dialects, that is Zezuru and Karanga, does not distinguish all the significant sounds that are distinguished by Ndau, Korekore, Manyika and Karanga and hence the Shona alphabet does not recognize and represent other speech forms of other Shona dialects. This linguistic situation coupled with orthographic problems causes low passes in Shona at 'O' level. Hence, one proposes, language awareness campaigns, use of Shona in the teaching of practical criticism and grammar and that the government gives value to other Shona dialects.