SOCIOLOLINGUISTIC SURVEYS - Centre for Language Studies

Pure 1.5
Mmbelwa 1.5
Euthini 1.5
Kafukule 1.5
Other less than 1
Dont know 32.8
N/A 1.0
Again here Table 33 shows that as was the case in Nkhata Bay, a distinction is made
between what is termed “Mzimba variety” and Ngoni. The exact characteristics of these
two varieties have yet to be determined. It should be noted nevertheless, that a
significant 32.8% of respondents did not know.
As regards where the best Chitumbuka is spoken 67.2% respondents said Mzimba, 22.4%
said Rumphi and the rest of the districts had less than 1.0%.
The parents/guardians were also requested to indicate whether or not they could read and
write Chitumbuka competently, on the hand and whether they could do the same in
Chichewa, on the other. The findings are presented below:
Table 34:
Competence in Reading and Writing Chitumbuka and Chichewa
% Respondents
District Chitumbuka
Chichewa
Read Write Read Write
Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No
Karonga 72.4 27.6 67.3 32.7 62.0 37.8 55.1 44.4
Rumphi 74.7 25.3 72.0 28.0 65.3 34.7 57.3 42.7
Mzimba 82.1 17.9 76.9 23.1 59.0 39.6 54.5 44.0
Nkhata
Bay
96.8 28.6 62.7 35.7 77.0 24.6 73.8 24.6
When statistics are compared, one observes that the numbers of those who can read are
higher than those who can write. This may suggest that writing is a much more difficult
skill than reading. It may also suggest that the adult literacy campaigns emphasise
reading more than writing
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