The Impact of Code-Switching in Zimbabwe: The Case of IsiNdebele and Chishona in Lower Gweru
Cordial Bhebe 
& Bekithemba Dube
Issue: Vol.5 No.11 Issue Article 5 pp.1687-1696
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245115 | Published online 5th September, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This paper sought to examine the impact of code-switching in the Lower Gweru community of Midlands Religion in Zimbabwe where IsiNdebele and ChiShona co-exist as first and third languages respectively. The main thrust of the paper was to establish the impact of code-switching involving IsiNdebele and ChiShona in bilingual and multilingual situations such as schools and communities. This study used a qualitative research approach and focused on two intentionally selected primary schools and two secondary schools as representatives of the whole population in the community. Since the selection of participants was purposively done, the sample had twenty participants. Key instruments used in the collection of data included Interviews, Observations and Document Analysis because of their relationship with the qualitative approach characterised by the use of words in explaining phenomena as they obtain in their natural settings. Collected data was presented and analysed depending on the nature of the gathered responses. Findings from this research revealed that code-switching is an indispensable issue in bilingual communities. Hence, it has both positive and negative impacts on learning in the target language. In conclusion, the study categorically established that the impact of code-switching is inevitable in bilingualism and diversified communities. The study recommends that educators and teachers be equipped with basic strategic skills of handling code-switching in bilingual and multilingual classrooms. The research adds knowledge in the sphere of education in multilingualism and multiculturalism, through examining the impact of code-switching involving indigenous languages on their own.
Keywords: Code-Switching, Mother Tongue, Indigenous Languages, Multilingualism
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Cordial Bhebe is a lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University. He holds a PhD in African Languages, Master of Education in Curriculum and Arts (Ndebele), Bachelor of Education in Ndebele and Certificate in Education. His research interests are in Language Interference, Indigenous and Minority Languages promotion, Ndebele Literature, Culture and Language Policy. He has published five articles in accredited journals and four Book Chapters with reputable publishers. At the time of writing this reviewed article, the author was on a Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme at the University of the Free State in South Africa. In examining the impact of code-switching, the article reflects uniqueness in that it adds knowledge in the sphere of education in multilingualism involving indigenous variaties on their own ,while all along the norm has been researching on code-switching mainly concerning first and second languages. He continues attending international academic conferences where he presents academic papers meant to enhance research skills in the field of research.
Bekithemba Dube is a full Professor in curriculum studies. He holds PhD in Curriculum Studies from the University Free State (UFS). He has written extensively on the area of Curriculum, Politics and Religion in Post colonial African countries. He has published more than 120 articles and book chapters in accredited journals in the past 6 years. He has successfully edited three books on curriculum, politics and religion and edited 4 special issues on education. He is currently the section editor for the Alternation Journal, Section Editor for the Research in Social Science and Technology Journal, Associate Editor E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and Associate Editor for the e-Journal of Religious and Theology Studies all accredited with DHET. He has served as a Head of the Department for Education Foundation and Department of Curriculum Studies at UFS. He is a visiting Professor at Appalachian State University (USA) and he has received funding such as Thuthuka, the USDP award with Colorado State University (USA) and UKSADP with University of Highlands and Inlands (Scotland). He has received various excellent awards for being exceptional in research, teaching and engaged scholarship.
Bhebe, Cordial & Bekithemba Dube. “The Impact of Code-Switching in Zimbabwe: The Case of IsiNdebele and Chishona in Lower Gweru,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.11 (2024): 1687-1696. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245115
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
