The Revitalisation of the Tonga Language in Zimbabwe: The Strategies

Abstract

This article investigates the strategies that were adopted for the revitalisation of Tonga, an endangered, marginalised language in Zimbabwe. Using Yamamoto's (1998) nine-factor model for language revitalisation, the article analyses the strategies adopted by the marginalised Tonga ethnic group in Zimbabwe to revitalise their language. It argues that the Tonga revitalisation initiative was a success as it adopted a holistic approach which identified and addressed the critical and complex sociological, political, economic, and cultural factors that caused language shift in the first place. These strategies focused primarily on raising awareness through promoting educational programmes about the endangered language and culture and developing a strong sense of ethnic identity within the community. The creation of a bilingual/bicultural school programme, the training of native speakers as teachers, and the amendment of the national language legislation were considered vital to the success of the initiative.

Keywords:

• language revitalisation
• language maintenance
• language shift
• marginalised languages
• Tonga language
• language revitalisation models