The Democratization of Language Policy
A Cultural-Linguistic Analysis of the Status of English in Kenya
In: The Politics of English as a World Language
Author:
Kembo-Sure
Kembo-Sure
Moi University Eldoret Kenya
Search for other papers by Kembo-Sure in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kembo-Sure in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
Attitudes towards English in Kenya tend to cluster around two extreme positions – largely unquestioned acceptance of the dominant position of English among the mass of the population, on the one hand, and strong opposition to the continuing use of the imposed colonial language among sections of the educated elite, on the other. The essay traces the origin of the high status of English from the colonial period to the present and suggests an alternative language policy that would bridge the chasm between the two extreme views.