Symposia & Conferences
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Item The Uplifting of Native Language of Kenya under the Influence of Colonial Language Planning(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Sooriyaarachchil, S.A.S.T.; Senadheera, R.H.Language is one of the prominent resources that should be planned for the sociopolitical wellbeing of a multi-lingual and multi-ethnic country. This research focuses on the language planning of Kenya, a country in Africa. Kenya is a multilingual country which is influenced by the colonialism for a long period of time. The language policy which is followed by Kenya shows and introduction between the native language; Swahili and English. English is the language which is used by the British during pre-coloniallanguage planning of Kenya. The data for the research were gathered through the web site articles about Kenyan language planning and through some research papers of university academic of Kenya. This paper presents the official language planning of Kenya during the pre and post-colonial periods. At present Kenya has two official languages as Swahili and English. As a multilingual and multi ethnic country Kenya has more than sixty two tribal languages like Kikuyu, Luhuyu, and Kalanji. During the pre-colonial time English dominated the language planning of Kenya. [t was used as the medium of education and parliamentary affairs. After the independence native politicians took necessary steps to uplift Swahi[i throughout the country. The first native president of Kenya had introduced Swahili uplifting programs even ordered people to speak Swahili instead of English. Finally Swahili becomes and one of the official languages of Kenya through the constitution of [974. At present Swahili be expanded and intensified throughout the educational system up to university level. Nevertheless the influence of English is remain until today in the status planning of Kenya. Because the making of Swahi[i and English compulsory examination subjects and the use of English in the media with and exception of Swahili. In conclusion, the complexity of Kenya's situation cannot be ignored and it is necessary to continue the uplifting ofSwahili in the status planning of Kenya.Item Language Policies and Social Cohesion in Multilingual States: Some Personal Observations(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Lewis, R.L.This paper is meant simply to be an opening point for a continuation of an ongoing discussion of multilingualism within states and regions vis-à-vis: Civil and criminal law, law enforcement, domestic educational policy, civil and human rights, political franchise, cultural and national identity, commerce and economic development, etcetera. Although I have lived in the Sri Lanka for over 11 years, Sri Lanka is not the subject of this paper but rather serves as a lens through which I can see more clearly the potential ramifications and importance of these issues internationally. I would like to look briefly at the extremes – at one end, state language policies that have led to civil war and at the other end states that have dealt creatively, fairly and productively (albeit not perfectly) with the management of the issues and challenges which are an intrinsic part of dealing with multilingual populations. Virtually every country in the world, to one extent or another, deals with the challenges brought on by multilingualism. I would not presume to attempt to offer prescriptions for the problems which are an intrinsic part of multilingual issues; rather, I hope that the questions I pose will help to stimulate a continuation of a vigorous exchange of ideas between informed and open people who care.Item A Research Study on Frequent code mixing by the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya(Department of English, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Sudhara, G.; Hettithanthiri, P.; Lafeerkhan, A.The research study was based on Code Mixing. Code mixing is a linguistic-related term, which denotes mixing of two or more languages in the process of speaking. Being a vast area of study, the research study had to be restricted to the recurrent code mixing by the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya. Through many effective methodologies, which included a questionnaire of 11 questions, distributed among 20 ambiguous undergraduates (10 female and 10 male students) from the faculty and by recordings of their actual conversations. With the knowledge gathered through examination of the past research studies and comparing and rationalizing the gathered information, thegroup arrived at many conclusions. 99% of the participants agreed that code mixing modifies their speaking; making a conversation stylish and impressive.1% of the participants expressed pessimistic views on this issue, claiming that it affects the originality of Sinhala language and that of the conversation. When analysing the matter of code mixing, a gender based study will declare many interesting and important information. Additionally, in a study on code mixing, it is important to consider the participants’ multilingualism, specifically in a location where a variety of language learners exist. Finally, widening the scope of study on code mixing to a large language community would make a research study, more sophisticated.