Language a Weapon of Systematic Domination on the Education and Social Life of the People: A Case of Four Provinces in Zambia

Lufeyo Chitondo and Martin Mutabazi Mugisha
Rockview University, Lusaka: Zambia
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2022.5210

Abstract

The study aimed at highlighting how language was and is used by western nations to dominate their former colonies. The language we speak affects the way we think and the way we think affects the way we speak. Therefore, adopting a new language simply means adopting a new way of thinking and a new identity. The study employed a mixed paradigm and descriptive survey design that sampled one former colony of Britain (Zambia). Government officials, University lecturers, educators, language policy makers, teachers and parents. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, questionnaires and classroom observation schedules. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed by the use of software MS Access and MS Excel. The findings revealed that language was and is used by western nations to dominate their former colonies, Africa in particular, and in turn influence their way of thinking through language especially in the education sector.

Keywords: Language imperialism, language policy, linguistic consciousness, official language, systematic domination, weapon.

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