SOCIOLOLINGUISTIC SURVEYS - Centre for Language Studies

preferred language is Chilambia (17.6%); followed by English, Chichewa, Chitumbuka,
Chinkhonde and Chibandia each with 11.8%. What is of interest here is the wide spread
of local languages already mentioned. This may reflect the unofficial nature of the
domain, and the intimate nature of what is involved.
Table 28:
Language To Be Used In Hospitals
District
English Chewa Tum
buka
% Respondents
Tonga Nkhonde Sukwa Ndali Lambia Nyika Bandi
a
Chitipa 5.9 23.5 29.4 11.8 11.8 11.8 5.9
Karonga 1.4 26.4 48.6 1.4 13.9 1.4 2.8 1.4 1.4
Rumphi 37.5 62.5
Mzimba 19.4 15.3 61.1 1.4 1.4
Nkhata
Bay
44.0 28.0 28.0
Table 28 shows that Chitumbuka is the most preferred language in four districts namely
Karonga, Chitipa, Rumphi and Mzimba. In these districts the second preferred language
is Chichewa except in Mzimba where English occupies this position. However, note that
in this domain the most preferred language in Nkhata Bay is Chichewa followed by
Chitumbuka and Chitonga each with 28.0%. Of interest here again is the wide spread of
local languages. Again this reflects the intimate/local nature of the domain.
Finally, the teachers were asked to indicate what language they would prefer to be used
by social workers. The results obtained were as follows:
Table 29:
Language To Be Used By Social Workers
District
Eng
lish
Chewa
Tum
buka
% Respondents
Tonga Nkhonde Sukwa Ndali Lambia Nyika Band
ia
Chitipa 17.6 11.8 17.6 11.8 17.6 11.8 5.9 5.9
Karonga 13.9 20.8 44.4 12.5 1.4 1.4 2.8
Rumphi 25.0 25.0 50.0
Mzimba 22.2 18.1 56.9 1.4 1.4
43