SOCIOLOLINGUISTIC SURVEYS - Centre for Language Studies

down to Nsanje, close to the Mozambique border. It is for this reason, that places within
Nsanje (which are close to the Mozambique border such as Maraka) are highly rated in
terms of housing the best variety of Chisena. Whilst some respondents simply
generalised that Nsanje district has the best Chisena, other respondents mentioned
specific areas within Nsanje e.g Tengani and Marka.
Table 85:
Where Best Chisena is Spoken
Place Frequency %
Tengani 27 6.6
Marka 97 23.7
Nyamula 2 0.5
Ngabu 8 2.0
Nsanje 144 35.2
Mbenje 3 0.7
Chikwawa 6 1.5
Mozambique 1 0.2
A related question required the pupils to identify the variety of Chisena which would be
the most appropriate for use in schools. The vast majority of the respondents 323
(79.4%) did not provide any answer, an indication that they do not know the variety in
question. Those who supplied responses to the question point to Nsanje (or certain areas
of Nsanje) as providing the variety of Chisena which is the most appropriate for use in
schools. Table 86 summarises the responses to this question. It is important to note that
the varieties are known by the places where they are spoken e.g. Tengani variety, Sorgin
variety, Marka variety etc except the case of Phodzo and Chimang’anja.
It appears there are no distinct names for Chisena dialects. This is in contrast to
Chilomwe which has dialects with names in their own right e.g. Chikokhola,
Chimarevoni, Chimalokotela, Chimihaveni etc.
Table 86:
Variety of Chisena Most Appropriate for Schools
Name of Variety Frequency %
96