Cogent Arts and Humanities· 2026Q2
Nexus of environmental deterioration and language endangerment: the loss of Sukuma insects’ terms in Kwimba, Tanzania
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- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Environmental degradation in Kwimba, Tanzania, is causing the loss of Sukuma insect terminology, particularly among younger generations who perceive environmental stability despite elders reporting deforestation and species loss.
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Abstract
This study examined how environmental degradation affects the loss of Sukuma insect terminology in Kwimba, Tanzania. Using qualitative methods, interviews and focus groups and guided by systemic functional linguistics, it explored the language-environment relationship. Findings revealed a generational divide in environmental perception: elders described deforestation, species loss, and climate change, while younger people reported stability, unable to perceive such changes. Grasshopper terminology showed marked intergenerational differences, with elders possessing richer terms, reflecting erosion of traditional ecological knowledge and cultural-linguistic heritage. Grasshoppers serve as cultural keystone species shaping Sukuma identity, language, and social practices. The study highlights implications for conserving traditional ecological knowledge and mitigating language decline, recommending future research on knowledge retention mechanisms and similar patterns in other Sukuma traditions.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 2026 · DOI ↗
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