Kitharaka

Print

A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
thk
Alternate Names
Saraka, Sharoka, Tharaka
Population

175,905 (2009 census), increasing. Less than 35% monolinguals. Some Tharaka live outside their homeland. Ethnic population: 150,000.

Location

Eastern Province, Tharaka district, south Meru district, some in Mwingi district.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.54)
Dialects

Gatue (North Tharaka), Igoki, Ntugi (Central Tharaka), Thagicu. Thagicu dialect has extensive Kamba [kam] borrowings. Gatue is influential. Difficult intelligibility of northern Kimîîru [mer] dialects. Some Meru words have offensive meanings in Kitharaka. Lexical similarity: with Chuka [cuh].

Language Use

Older people’s dialect more prestigious due to lack of borrowings. Many now use written materials. Home, social gatherings. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng] in schools, offices; Kiswahili [swh] in churches, schools, jobs, sometimes in the home; Gikuyu [kik], Kimîîru [mer] also used.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 15%. Literacy rate in L2: 45% Kiswahili or English. L1 books in schools since 2003. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. NT: 2000–2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kitharaka
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Attitudes changing. People now view their language as important. Tharaka is place name. Ethnonym: Atharaka. Christian, traditional religion.