SOCIOLOLINGUISTIC SURVEYS - Centre for Language Studies

Rumphi 41.
4
Mzimba 23.
9
Nkhata
Bay
16.
4
31.4 27.6
36.6 37.8 0.2 0.5
48.6 7.7 26.4
Table 63 reveals that the most preferred language for use in government notices is
Chichewa followed by English and Chitumbuka. The strong showing of both Chichewa
and English again reflects the official nature of the domain. In Chitipa, however, it
should be noted again that there is a wide spread of local languages that have been
mentioned. This reflects the linguistic complexity of the district.
Another question requested pupils to indicate what language(s) they would like to be
used in churches. The following results were obtained:
Table 64:
Language To Be Used In Church
District % Respondents
English Chewa Tumbuka Nkhonde Tonga Lambia Chindali Chisukwa Bandia
Karonga 5.6 39.1 44.8 8.9 0.8 ­ ­ ­
Chitipa 3.0 23.5 37.1 4.5 ­ 3.8 8.3 15.9 2.3
Rumphi 2.3 20.7 77.0 ­ ­ ­ ­
Mzimba 6.7 24.9 67.2 ­ 0.5 ­ ­
Nkhata
Bay
4.5 40.9 18.2 0.5 35.0 ­ ­
In four districts, that is Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi and Mzimba Chitumbuka was the most
preferred language followed by Chichewa as the language for use in church. The
extraordinary showing for Chitumbuka (77.0%) in Rumphi should not be surprising since
the district is generally perceived to be the ‘home’ of Chitumbuka in Malawi. Nkhata
Bay, however, stands out for preferring Chichewa first, Chitonga second and Chitumbuka
third.
Another question solicited pupils’ choices of language(s) to be used by social workers.
65