http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/37 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:46:00 GMT 2026-10-30T00:46:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10528 Title: Cohesion as a meaning-making resource in selected Nandi Kass Tv interviews on agriculture In Kenya Authors: Mutai, Ruth Jerop Abstract: Effective use of cohesive resources is vital for conveying agricultural knowledge, improving farming practices, and strengthening food security. Although cohesion has been extensively studied in written texts and major global languages, little is known about its use in orally delivered, community-based broadcast discourse in indigenous African languages. The purpose of this study was to examine how cohesive resources operate in Nandi agricultural interviews broadcast on KASS TV. Specifically, the study: Analyzed the cohesive strategies used to construct thematic and interactional meaning; examined their role in shaping meaning in spoken Nandi discourse; and assessed their implications for communication between interviewers and Nandi speaking rural audiences. The study is guided by Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) theory of cohesion, which conceptualizes cohesion as a multi-layered resource for meaning construction. This framework is extended in the current study to include discourse pragmatic and prosodic strategies. Cohesion is realized through lexical, grammatical, and discourse-pragmatic resources, as well as prosodic features such as pause, tempo, and intonation. An interpretive qualitative research design was adopted. Five purposively sampled KASS TV agricultural interviews aired between August 2023 and March 2025 were analyzed. The sample was sufficient for in-depth analysis of linguistic and prosodic features in Nandi broadcast interviews, with thematic saturation achieved when no new cohesive patterns emerged. The data were transcribed using Jefferson conventions, and an inductive analytic approach was used to identify cohesive patterns and their thematic and interactional functions. Findings indicate that lexical and referential cohesion maintain thematic continuity and reinforce key agricultural concepts. Strategic repetition of terms such as keswek ‘breeds’ and chego ‘milk’ sustained topical focus while emphasizing their economic and nutritional significance. Referential variation, including alternation between biikab Kalenjin ‘Kalenjin people’ and kootab Kalenjin ‘Kalenjin community' strengthened shared group identity in food security discussions. Prosodic features such as pause, tempo and intonation further enhanced clarity and emphasized important points. The study concludes that cohesion in spoken Nandi broadcast discourse is multidimensional, emerging through coordinated interaction of verbal and prosodic resources that support collaborative knowledge construction. These findings highlight the communicative value of indigenous Nilotic languages in agricultural broadcasting and rural development. Accordingly, the study recommends that broadcasters and agricultural extension officers deliberately use lexical, grammatical, discourse-pragmatic, and prosodic cohesive resources to maintain thematic focus and reinforce key concepts. It further recommends that pause, tempo, and intonation be intentionally employed to emphasize key points and support interactional meaning. Finally, interviewers and educators should design interactions that utilize these cohesive resources to strengthen audience engagement, comprehension, and effective knowledge transmission. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10528 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10249 Title: Uteuzi wa lugha na mikakati ya kimawasiliano katika mandhari ya lugha mjini Eldoret Authors: Kuttuny, Serah N. Abstract: Utafiti huu ulichunguza matumizi ya lugha na mikakati ya mawasiliano katika mandhari ya lugha mjini Eldoret. Madhumuni ya utafiti huu yalikuwa kubainisha maudhui mbali mbali na mzagao wao katika mabango,kutathmini kwendana kwa uteuzi wa lugha kwa matarajio ya hadhira lengwa na kuchunguza ufaafu wa vielelezo vya mabango kama mikakati ya kuwasilisha ujumbe kwa hadhira lengwa. Utafiti huu ulijikita katika madai ya nadharia ya lugha-tarajiwa na isiyotarajiwa, baadhi ya madai ya nadharia ya lugha-solo na lugha-bebwa na nadharia ya semiotiki. Data za utafiti huu zilikusanywa katika barabara mbili kuu zilizoteuliwa kimakusudi mjini Eldoret; barabara ya Oginga Odinga na barabara ya Uganda. Makundi manne ya vijana na wazee yalihojiwa na kurekodiwa katikati mwa mji wa Eldoret. Usampulishaji kusudio ulitumika. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yalidhihirisha maudhui mbali mbali na mzagao wao; benki (9.79%), elimu (1.39%), vinywaji (17.48%), bima (1.39%), uganga (0.69%), ajira (0.69%), vyakula (6.99%), Kamari (0.69%), habari na mawalisiano (18.88%), fenicha (0.69%), kilimo (9.09%), uchukuzi (9.09%), michezo (0.69%), bidhaa jumla (14.68%), matibabu (2.79%) na kongamano (2.79%). Pia, tuligundua ruwaza nne za uteuzi wa lugha; Kiingereza (49.65%), ubadilishaji msimbo (32.86%), Kiswahili (14.68%) na Kinandi (2.69%). Hatimaye, utafiti huu ulibainisha kuwa, uteuzi wa ujozi lugha katika mabango hayakuendana na matarajio ya hadhira. Hata hivyo, utafiti huu uling`amua kuwa matumizi ya viziada lugha kama vile picha, rangi na fonti mbali mbali hushadidisha mawasiliano katika matangazo ya mabango. Tasnifu hii inapendekeza kuwa, kwa kuwa mandhari ya lugha mjini Eldoret yameonyesha ubadilishaji msimbo na lugha zisizo thabiti za Sheng na Engsh huku lugha ya asili ya eneo la mji wa Eldoret, Kinandi, ikitumika kwa uchache sana. Ukweli ni kwamba haiwezekani kujumlisha hali ya mandhari ya lugha nchini Kenya kwa kujikita katika mji mmoja tu. Kwa hivyo, tunapendekeza utafiti zaidi uendeshwe katika miji mingine. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10249 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10214 Title: Enhancing communication for children with autism in Kenya. insights on the picture exchange communication system Authors: Gitau, Maina Francis Abstract: Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), has been used successfully as an intervention strategy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disorders, without a functional means of communication. PECS uses photos to convey needs, wants and express their feelings, which enables the non- verbal student to initiate communication, request for a desired item, and also to have spontaneous speech by exchanging a photo for a real item. Although it was founded more than three decades ago, there has been no tangible evidence of its use in Kenya, yet the numbers of non-verbal children with autism who need to be able to express themselves is increasing. In this study, we apply Behaviorist theory by B.F. Skinner, which relies on direct reinforcement, holding that; behavior can be changed by repetition of drills and rewards, hence the reason for having ten trials in each of the three sessions in twenty four days, adding to a total of 720 trials thus the theory guided in the data collection, choice of tools and how they were administered. The study explored the ability of the student to initiate communication, request for a desired item and spontaneously speak using PECS with a view to improving communication, using experimental single subject changing criterion design. The experiment involved two non-verbal boys, 6-8 years old with autism spectrum disorders. The focus was on the first three phases of PECS, which are: The physical exchange, Expanding Spontaneity (distance and persistence) and picture discrimination, in which research has indicated evidence of change. Each of the study subject, student one and student two, was under one teacher (communication partner) and one parent (physical prompter) for training of PECS. Recording was done by communication partner for either student. The researcher (independent observer) also recorded for each student. The teachers and parents were trained before baseline, on their roles in the experiment. The data was analyzed using Standard Mean Difference (SMD), Percentage of Non-Overlapping Data (PND) and Inter-Observer Agreement (IOA). The findings indicated that initiating communication improved from a range of 10%-30% in the baseline to a range of 47.5%-100% in the treatment phases. The Inter Observer Agreement (IOA) gave a result of 9.5% for student 1 and 4.8% for student 2. The Standard Mean Difference (SMD) for student 1 was 1.04% and 1.67% for student 2 while the Percentage of Non-overlapping Data (PND) both student 1 and student 2 had 100%, an indication of high level effectiveness. The ability to request for a desired item also improved greatly for both student 1 and 2, with a baseline range of 0-10% to treatment phases’ range of 45-100%. The IOA gave a result of 14.3% for student 1 and 4.8% for student 2. The SMD for student 1 was 70.85% and 2.09% for student 2, while the PND was 100% for both student 1 and 2. In the spontaneous speech using picture cards, the baseline was at 0% while the treatment ranged from 0-100% for both students. IOA was 71.4% for student 1 and 52.4% for student 2. The SMD for student 1 was 58.11% and 46.05% for student 2. Meanwhile, the PND was 75% for both student 1 and 2. The impact of this training was high in the first two depended variables, initiating communication and requesting for a desired item, while the spontaneity proved difficult during baseline and the treatment phases. However, there was a clear indication that PECS could indeed help the students express their needs and wants to teachers, parents and significant others by use of Pictures, given more time, repetition of drills and rewards, and therefore enable the pictures to truly speak for the student. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10214 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10203 Title: Ufumbaji wa itikadi kijazanda kwenye nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba Authors: Kasau, Mue Elizabeth Abstract: Nyimbo za kiasili ni maarufu sana miongoni mwa jamii ya Wakamba. Nyimbo hizi huimbwa katika kila hafla ya kijamii na husheheni itikadi ya Wakamba kuhusiana na masuala mbalimbali. Hata hivyo, itikadi katika nyimbo hizi za kiasili hufumbatwa kijazanda. Azma ya utafiti huu ni kuchunguza iwapo kuna uhusiano baina ya jazanda zinazotumika katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba na itikadi ya jamii ya Wakamba. Malengo maalum ya utafiti ni matatu. Kwanza, ni kupambanua jazanda mahsusi katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba zinazowasilishwa kwenye hafla maalum. Pili, kuhakiki itikadi za Wakamba zinazofumbatwa kijazanda kwenye nyimbo hizo za kiasili. Tatu, kutathmini uamilifu wa jazanda mahsusi kifani na kimaudhui kwenye nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba. Utafiti huu umechukua muundo wa kithamano ambapo nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba zimehakikiwa na kufasiriwa kwa kuzingatia muktadha wa kijamii ambamo nyimbo hizo zinaimbwa na kupokelewa. Data ya kimsingi ilitokana na nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba zilizokusanywa kutoka Kamisheni ya kudumu ya Muziki ya Rais (PPMC) nchini Kenya. Nyimbo zilizosheheni jazanda zilisampuliwa kimakusudi, zikatafsiriwa kutoka Kikamba hadi Kiswahili na kuchanganuliwa. Uchanganuzi wa data uliegemezwa kwenye malengo ya utafiti na mihimili ya kinadharia. Nadharia ya Jazanda Dhanifu kwa mujibu wa Lakoff na Johnson na Nadharia ya Itikadi ilivyofafanulliwa na Van Dijk ndizo msingi wa utafiti huu. Nadharia ya Jazanda Dhanifu ilielekeza uhakiki wa itikadi zilizofumbatwa kijazanda na uamilifu wa jazanda hizo kifani na kimaudhui katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba. Nadharia ya Itikadi nayo ilitumika kupambanua maumbo ya kimsingi ya utambuzi wa kijamii yalivyodhihirika katika hafla za kijamii ambamo nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba hutokea. Matokeo ya utafiti yameonyesha kuwa jazanda katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba huambatana na hafla mahsusi za kijamii. Nyimbo hizi za kiasili husheheni jazanda ambazo hufumbata mwonoulimwengu, mielekeo na maadili ya jamii ya Wakamba kuhusiana na masuala kama vile; siasa na uongozi, ndoa na malezi, uchumi na uwajibikaji. Tunaweza kuhitimisha kuwa jazanda katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba ni nyenzo muhimu ya kuwasilisha itikadi ya Wakamba kwa hadhira lengwa. Jazanda hizi zinajidhihirisha kama nguzo kuu ya kuwasilisha imani, maadili na mienendo ya Wakamba. Kwa hivyo, kimaudhui, jazanda zinazotumika katika nyimbo hizi za kiasili zinakuza na kuthabitisha akilini mwa hadhira ujumbe unaowasilishwa kitaswira. Kifani, jazanda zinasafidi lugha inayotumiwa kimafumbo katika nyimbo za kiasili na kwa njia hii kupunguza makali kihisia miongoni mwa hadhira. Aidha, utafiti umeonyesha kuwa matumizi ya jazanda katika nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba huibua picha ya dhana zinazorejelewa akilini mwa hadhira na hivyo kuimarisha kumbukumbu ya virejelewa na burudani. Kitaaluma, matokeo ya utafiti huu ni muhimu kwa vile yatakuza maarifa kuhusiana na uamilifu wa nyimbo za kiasili za Kikamba na fasihi simulizi ya jamii za Kiafrika kwa ujumla. Kijamii, utafiti ni hatua mojawapo ya kuhifadhi utamaduni na utambulisho wa jamii ya Wakamba. Kiuchumi, ni kichocheo kwa wasanii wa nyimbo za kiasili kutumia vipawa vyao kujipatia riziki. Kwa hivyo, utafiti huu unapendekeza kutekelezwa kwa Mwongozo wa Sera ya Kitaifa ya Muziki unaopendekeza wanamuziki na wasanii kwa ujumla wanufaike kikamilifu kutokana na kazi zao za kisanaa. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10203 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z