LINGUISTICALLY MARGINALIZED CATEGORY OF CHILDREN: A CASE OF THREE COMPOUNDS IN LUSAKA CITY, ZAMBIA

The purpose of the study was to analyze how children between the ages of one day to five years are linguistically marginalized in their own communities. The study employed a mixed paradigm and descriptive survey design that sampled three compounds in Lusaka Misisi Compound, Matero Compound and Kabulonga. Sample size comprised of 60 respondents and parents and children were interviewed and collection of the objects that children use to play with were used to collect data. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, objects children use and observation schedules. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed manually in some cases and also, a combination of software MS Access and MS Excel. The findings revealed that home-based language marginalization, can occur within the same community to any child from any social, economic and education background and that adults linguistic practices contribute in preventing this category of children to have enough access to the speech of their ancestors. Therefore, understanding possible factors that contribute to childrens first language marginalization in families can guide parents (caretakers), educational researchers, linguists, and community-based workers in their respective work with children during their early childhood (1day-5years of age).