Assessment of the Linguistic Vitality and the Status of OluZemba as Spoken in Namibia

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was first to assess and then to determine   the linguistic vitality and the status of OluZemba as spoken in the northern part of Namibia.

Methods: The study followed a mixed methods approach and guided by the pragmatist paradigm.  Above 167 elders in nine   rural villages including Ombuumbu, Etunda, Otjovanatje, Etoto, Otjiyandjamwenyo, Okamboola,  Etotoa West, Etoto East and Okadhandu  were purposively selected following snowball and purposive sampling methods  for in-depth  interviews, focus group discussions and completing  questionnaires. During the FGDs and interviews, OvaZemba elders chose Etanda and Oniyando (circumcision and its ritual) as previously the most cherished cultural practice of the tribe but currently the most endangered cultural value. Following UNESCO's Language Vitality and Endangerment Questionnaire (2003), and Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory of Giles and et al (1977) and Linguistics Citizenship Theory of Stroud (2001).

Findings: The study team investigated Etanda rituals and produced the first theatrical play in OluZemba. The study concluded that an observable language shift exists amongst this vibrant community   which requires further investigation.  The OvaZemba people use their language in an increasingly negligible and reduced number of communicative, business and administrative domains and might cease to pass it on to the next generation. Children are not taught in the language at schools, and many do not know how to read and write. Overall, the investigation has concluded that OluZemba is not a dialect of Otjiherero but a language of its own with its own orthography. It’s highly marginalised in the Namibian context.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice:  This study will contribute to the implementation of language endangerment, marginalisation, and revitalisation theories. These theories guided the mainstream of the research.  Presenting fresh data and evidence from the field, the study will contribute to the Nambian language planning and policy dialogue and so as to table endangered and marginalised languages as policy agenda.  Practically, the research recommends OluZemba as a medium of instruction at the primary level. If government fund does now support OluZemba as the medium, Otjiherero should be the next closest language as the medium of primary education.