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VOL. 1, ISSUE 2 (2025)
Decolonization and Global Englishes: A sociolinguistic analysis of post-colonial language attitudes and identity formation in East African Nations
Authors
Baskara Putra Dewanto
Abstract
This study
investigates the relationship between decolonization movements and the
evolution of global Englishes in post-colonial East African societies,
specifically examining how language attitudes and identity formation have been
shaped by the legacy of colonialism. The research employed a mixed-method
approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative semi-structured
interviews with 524 participants across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. A
standardized Language Attitude Scale (LAS) was administered to assess attitudes
toward English, local languages, and colonial linguistic legacies. Multivariate
analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences in
language attitudes across age groups (F(3,520)=8.42, p<0.001) and educational
backgrounds (F(2,521)=12.67, p<0.001). Thematic analysis of 128 qualitative
interviews identified five dominant patterns: linguistic identity negotiation,
language as a marker of post-colonial aspiration, code-switching as pragmatic
survival, the persistence of colonial linguistic hierarchies, and the emergence
of localized English variants. The findings demonstrate that decolonization has
not resulted in the simple replacement of English with indigenous languages;
rather, it has created complex multilingual ecologies where English functions
simultaneously as a legacy of colonialism and as a tool for economic mobility
and global participation. This paradox reflects deeper tensions in
post-colonial language policy and identity formation. The study contributes to
theoretical understandings of how linguistic decolonization operates in
practice and provides evidence-based insights for educational policy-makers in
post-colonial contexts. The research highlights the need for culturally
responsive language policies that acknowledge rather than suppress the
complexity of post-colonial linguistic realities.
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Pages:16-22
How to cite this article:
Baskara Putra Dewanto "Decolonization and Global Englishes: A sociolinguistic analysis of post-colonial language attitudes and identity formation in East African Nations". World Journal of English, Vol 1, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 16-22
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