Abstract

The article presents a netnographic study in the area of language and media studies. The purpose of the study was to identify challenges faced by Ndau users on the Rekete ChiNdau—Leave a Legacy Facebook page. Using an ethnolinguistic vitality model to explore speaker-writers’ motivations for online civic engagement, the article provides evidence that the group encounters several orthographic, lexicological (terminological), and language choice dilemmas that often militate against Ndau identity construction and assertion in Zimbabwe. To boost Ndau speaker-writers’ resistance to Shona and English’s cultural and linguistic hegemony, a number of practical interventions are proposed to enhance their online participation and strengthen their overall group vitality. Implementing the proposed intervention measures would not only mobilise linguistic and ethnic solidarity, but also support mother-tongue speakers’ efforts to document, develop and standardise Ndau in Zimbabwe.

摘要

本文介绍了语言和媒体研究领域的民族志研究。这项研究的目的是确定Ndau用户在Rekete ChiNdau上所面临的挑战-留下遗产Facebook页面。该文章使用一种民族语言生命力模型来探讨演讲者-作家从事网络公民活动的动机，从而提供了证据，表明该群体遇到了几种拼字法，词汇学（术语）和语言选择的困境，这些困境常常不利于津巴布韦的Ndau身份建构和主张。为了增强Ndau演讲作家对绍纳语和英语的文化和语言霸权的抵抗力，提出了一些切实可行的干预措施，以提高他们的在线参与度并增强他们的整体活力。实施拟议的干预措施不仅将动员语言和种族团结，而且还将支持说母语的人为津巴布韦的恩道进行记录，发展和标准化的努力。