Logic and Truth: Gendered Words Perspectives in Sukuma Speech Community, Tanzania

Abstract

The paper informs what exists pertinent to gender norms in the Sukuma speech community within the scope of philosophy of language and logic and truth in particular.  The paper was motivated by the exiting of social and gender norms in Sukuma through language and logic in Sukuma land and thus was selected purposively. The study used an interpretivism paradigm under a case study design in which the Njingani village of the Geita region of Tanzania was surveyed. The study used 21 informants in data collection via focus group discussion.  An embedded (mixed) research approach was applied in data analysis which was seconded by cognitive-developmental, grammar and Social theories. The study revealed that Sukuma lexemes i: e kaya, Nshimbe, mbehi, kulilwa and tola develop gender stigma on the expense of women in forms of gender disparity. Logically, it is a social pragmatics construction whose insights have no truth on gender stigma, thus needs new revelation for harmony.  It was recommended some communities including Sukuma need education on gender stereotypes and stigma; educators should avoid generalizations in their discussions of gender issues as people know their rights in their homestead. This would reduce gender stereotypes and biases which have been developed using different linguistics lexemes.