The Role of Kiswahili in Promoting Intercultural Communication and Strengthening National Ethos Amongst the Co-Cultures of the Rift Valley in Kenya
This study focuses on Kiswahili as an intercultural communication tool that bridges the gap of language barrier in the diverse Rift Valley of Kenya. It aims to investigate the relevance of a cross-cultural language on interrelationships among people from diverse cultural sub-sets in the Rift Valley and to evaluate the role of Kiswahili in enhancing intercultural relations and strengthening national ethos in the region. Quantitative data are collected through questionnaires and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The narrative analytical approach is used to investigate how people live their intercultural experiences when utilizing a common language. Through theory triangulation, the study is supported by the ‘Alternation Model’ as the applicable model to explain the lived experiences in a cosmopolitan society backed by the respondent’s opinion. The study establishes that language difference results in tense intercultural relations among the co-cultures, illustrated by discrimination, intimidation, social exclusion, biased acceptance and stereotyping.
