A Generous Gift from De Gruyter Mouton: Enhancing Linguistic Scholarship at Chuka University

In a significant boost to academic resources at Chuka University, a generous donation of 48 volumes has been made by De Gruyter Mouton, a distinguished publishing house based in Berlin, Germany. This collection, spanning various disciplines within theoretical and applied linguistics, was presented to the university’s librarian by Dr. Claudius P. Kihara.

Dr. Kihara, a distinguished lecturer at Chuka University, orchestrated this invaluable donation. With a rich background in linguistics and a career dedicated to the advancement of the field, Dr. Kihara’s contribution showed his commitment to fostering academic excellence and research.

Dr. Kihara: A Stalwart in Linguistic Scholarship

Dr. Kihara’s academic journey is impressive. Holding a Ph.D. in General Linguistics from Heinrich-Heine Universität-Düsseldorf, Germany, he has cultivated a deep expertise in both theoretical and applied linguistics. His academic career began with a B.Ed in Arts from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, followed by an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of Nairobi.

Currently, Dr. Kihara serves as a lecturer at Chuka University, a position he has held since August 2019. Before this, he was the Head of the Department of Linguistics at the Christ the Teacher Institute for Education (CTIE), Tangaza University College, where he also served as a lecturer from August 2017 to July 2019. His teaching career further includes part-time tutoring roles at Marist International University College and Maasai Mara University, as well as teaching English and Literature at Loreto Limuru Girls’ High School and Kap’ngetuny High School.

Contributions to Linguistic Research

Dr. Kihara’s research interests are vast and varied, with significant contributions to the understanding of Bantu languages and their structures. His key research project, “Aspects of Gĩkũyũ (Kikuyu) Complex Sentences: A Role and Reference Grammar Analysis,” exemplifies his dedication to exploring the intricacies of African languages.

His scholarly publications reflect a profound engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Notable works include:

  1. Interpreting Bantu Clause Structure within Role and Reference Grammar (forthcoming, Arusha Working Papers in African Linguistics)
  2. An Ecolinguistic Interpretation of Maasai Placenames in Kenya (under review, Language in Africa)
  3. A Functional Analysis of Complementiser Atĩ and its Variants in Gĩkũyũ (2018, The University of Nairobi Journal of Language and Linguistics)
  4. Mchongoano and the Ethnography of Communication (2015, The University of Nairobi Journal of Language and Linguistics)
  5. On Mchongoano and Riddles in Kenya (2013, Journal of Pan African Studies)
  6. A Relevance-Theoretic Analysis of Aspects of Mchongoano (2012, The University of Nairobi Journal of Language and Linguistics)
  7. The Gĩkũyũ Reference Phrase: A Role and Reference Grammar Perspective (2011, Baraton Interdisciplinary Research Journal)

Impact of the Donation

The donation of 48 volumes by De Gruyter Mouton is set to significantly enrich the resources available for linguistic research and study at Chuka University. These books will serve as a crucial resource for students and faculty alike, providing access to the latest research and developments in the field of linguistics.

This contribution is particularly timely, as it supports the university’s mission to enhance its academic offerings and promote a culture of rigorous scholarship. It is anticipated that these volumes will inspire new research projects, foster a deeper understanding of linguistic phenomena, and contribute to the academic growth of Chuka University’s students and faculty.