Sheng (linguistics)

Sheng is a Swahili-based patois, originating in Nairobi, Kenya, and influenced by the many languages spoken there. While primarily a language of urban youths, it has spread across social classes to the halls of the Kenyan parliament and geographically to neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda.

Originating in the early 1970s in the Eastlands area of Nairobi (variously described as a "slum," "ghetto," or "suburb"), Sheng is now heard among matatu drivers across the region, and in the popular media. Most of the sheng words are introduced by artists such as Nonini who include them in their lyrics hence the rapid growth. It can be assumed to be the first language of many Kenyans in urban areas. Like all slang, it is mainly used by the youth and is part of a popular culture in this countries.It also evolves rapidly, as words are moved into and out of slang use. It is finding broad use among East African hip hop artists, such as Kalamashaka and Nonini, whose music helps spread the language and contribute to rapid changes or shifts in Sheng vocabulary, but also among university and secondary-school students.

Although the grammar, syntax, and much of the vocabulary are drawn from Swahili, Sheng borrows from English and from the languages of the various ethnic groups in Kenya, including Gĩkũyũ, Luo and Kamba.

Sheng vocabulary can vary significantly among regions of Kenya and East Africa, and even neighborhoods of Nairobi. Most of the youth living in Nairobi often use sheng as their everyday language rather than speak fluent Swahili or English.

Many have adopted Sheng as a vernacular language, while others (notably primary and secondary school teachers responsible for language instruction) claim that it is undermining standard Swahili. At least one scholar, however, points out that the bulk of Sheng speakers are already bi- or tri-lingual, and so it is not clear why the ability to speak Sheng should undermine proficiency in standard Swahili. [Githioria, Chege (2002). "Sheng: peer language, Swahili dialect or emerging Creole?" "Journal of African Cultural Studies" 15 (2), 159-181, (" [http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/link.asp?ID=E291RU5YVRKJHVN4 abstract] ")]

Some examples of popular sheng words are "manzi" which means girl, "beste" which means friend, "muenjoyo" which means having fun, "hare" which means to go out at night and "waka" which means to get drunk.

Additional words:
*fala: idiot
*fegi/mozo: cigarette
*karao: Police
*keja: House
*matha: woman
*mboch: house girl (maid)
*mbota: watch
*mbwenya: overcoat or trench coat.
*mdosi/sonko: boss, rich man
*mdosi/mbuyu: also means Dad
*munde/chapa/niado/ganji/dough: money
*nare: fire/matches
*ndai/moti/murenga/dinga: car
*njumu/njuti: shoes
*poa: cool
*ubao/maunenge: hunger
*veve/mbachu: Khat

nguenos,mwewe-chickencaki,kigode-weed

External links

* [http://www.sheng.co.ke/ Sheng Dictionary and translator] . A site dedicated to the preservation and de-mystifying of the Sheng language!
* [http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI3043947/ Talking Sheng] : The role of a hybrid language in the construction of identity and youth culture in Nairobi, Kenya.
* [http://africanlanguages.com/swahili/sheng/ English–Sheng/Sheng–English Lexicon]