Code-Switching in Ndau TikTok: Multilingualism as Resistance against Linguicide in Ethnic Media
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines the use of multilingualism and code-switching in ethnic media as methods of resisting linguicide, with a focus on Ndau speakers using TikTok. In an environment where marginalised languages are continuously threatened with erasure, ethnic media emerge as essential platforms for cultural expression and advocacy, enabling the sharing of stories, traditions, and languages. Based on the Cultural Resistance Theory, the study uses qualitative methods to collect and analyse data from the Ndau community's ethnic media, suggesting that linguistic flexibility enhances cultural narratives and encourages inclusivity. It highlights that multilingualism and code-switching allow Ndau speakers to express and affirm their identities. TikTok's lively, trend-driven content offers new opportunities for revitalising the endangered Ndau language through engaging formats, fostering pride and resilience within the community. The study demonstrates how multilingualism in ethnic media is a powerful counter-narrative to linguicide, supporting the preservation of diverse languages and cultures in an increasingly globalising world.
Source: Critical Arts
Author: Nyasha Cefas Zimuto
Institution: University of South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7166846556