GRETSA UNIVERSITY DIGITAL REPOSITORY

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AI-Powered Innovations for Documenting and Revitalizing African REVIEW Languages
(Japan Bilingual Publishing Co. - Cultural Arts Research and Development, 2025) Dr. Jackton Otieno Midigo
The documentation and revitalization of African languages are crucial for preserving the continent’s linguistic and cultural heritage amid increasing threats of language endangerment. This study presents a systematic review of existing literature on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches to language documentation and revitalization, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were collected from twenty academic digital repositories and peer-reviewed journals specializing in computational linguistics, AI applications in language preservation, and African linguistics. Four major databases were specifically searched: Google Scholar, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online (AJOL). Peer-reviewed articles from established repositories were analyzed to explore key AI applications such as speech recognition, machine learning for transcription, neural machine translation, and digital archiving. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances language preservation by enabling automated transcription, corpus development, and the creation of interactive learning tools. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including limited data availability, ethical concerns over language ownership, and technological accessibility in marginalized communities, which hinder widespread implementation. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among linguists, AI developers, and local communities to ensure culturally sensitive and effective AI solutions. Ultimately, this review highlights the transformative potential of AI in supporting the sustainable revitalization of indigenous African languages and contributing to global linguistic resilience. Keywords: African Languages; Artificial Intelligence; Language Documentation; Revitalization; Systematic Review; Linguistic Resilience
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Functional Heads in the Dholuo Determiner Phrase
(Journal of Advances in Linguistics, 2018) Dr. Jackton Otieno Midigoa 2; Jerry Agalo
This paper focuses on functional heads existing in a Dholuo DP. The notion of functional heads in the extended Projection of the CP (Complementizer Phrase) has led to a new approach in the analysis of projections in syntactic theory. The objective was to identify the functional elements in the Dholuo DP, analyze the functional elements and explain their occurrence. The study used Government and Binding theory which enables us to analyze the functional heads. The study also used descriptive research design to analyze collected data. The data was collected from 40 informants aged 35 years to 50 years; which was a sample from population of Dholuo speakers living in Homa Bay County around Lake Victoria. Data collected had sentences with Dholuo DPs. The study found eleven elements commonly occurring in Dholuo DP. These elements form the structure of Dholuo DP and can be categorized as lexical and functional heads. The lexical elements identified in the Dholuo DPs are: Nouns, Adjectives, prepositional phrases and genitive phrases. The functional elements identified included: Pronouns, article affixes, demonstratives, possessives, quantifiers, numerals, and relative clauses. In Dholuo, genitive phrases have prepositions acting as possessives. Relative clauses on the other hand, contain relative word, verb, pronoun, preposition and demonstratives. Keywords: Functional Head, Dholuo Determiner Phrase, Lexical Items, Genitive Phrases, Relative Clauses, Relational Features, Agglutination, Co-Occurrence and Functional Projection
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Parents' academic expectations and psychological distress among adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2021) Dr. Joel Kiambi Muriithi; Angeline Kalondu Kiamba; Dr. Florence Wamahiga Githuthu
The increase in levels of psychological distress among adolescents due to different factors are alarming, however since most adolescents are attending school. This study worked to establish the relationship between academic expectations and psychological distress experienced by adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County Kenya. Specific objective was to determine if teachers’ academic expectations contribute to psychological distress among adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County. Ecological Systems Theory founded by Urie Bronfen brenner in 1979 and General Strain Theory founded by Robert Agnew in 1992 anchored the study. A convergent parallel mixed method design was adopted, which involved descriptive survey and phenomenological methods for quantitative and qualitative enquiries respectively. A total sample of 387 respondents from 28 private secondary schools was used which included 380 students and 7 guidance and counseling teachers sampled through simple random, proportionate, and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential analysis specifically chi-square and correlation using SPSS version 22 .The qualitative data from guidance and counseling teachers was analyzed using content analysis. The results were then presented using tables for quantitative data, and data collected through semi-structured interviews was presented through quotes and narrative descriptions. The findings showed that adolescents experienced academic expectations from teachers. Teachers’ academic expectation was significantly influenced by age and mothers’ educational level. In relation to psychological distress, teachers’ academic expectations had a weak positive relationship with anxiety, stress and depression symptoms. Key Words: Academic expectation, psychological distress
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Relationship between Family Flexibility and Substance Use Disorders among the Youth in Selected Rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2021) Joel Kiambi Muriithi; Alice Wangui Gikandi; Dr. Joyzy Pius Egunjobi
This study investigated family dynamics and substance use disorders among the youth in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the family structure theory. The research design was mixed method embedded research design. Using Yamane (1967) formula, a sample of 172 clients was obtained and selected randomly to take part in quantitative study. Another 12 clients who had stayed in rehabilitation centers for the longest time were purposively selected in order to provide qualitative data. Similarly, 10 parents were conveniently selected in order to provide qualitative data. Therefore the total sample size comprised of 196 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10 questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interview guides. Cronbach Alpha technique was run to test the reliability of FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10. FACES-IV scale was found to have a reliability coefficient of .723, AUDIT-10 had reliability of .861while DAST-10 scale had a reliability coefficient of .812. Quantitative Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically backed by narratives from respondents. The study had the following findings: Most families recorded unhealthy flexibility with majority of respondents coming from families which had chaotic family flexibility (Mean= 24. 4015; SD= 10.001) followed by Rigid flexibility (Mean= 17.4167; SD= 5.1244), there was a weak negative and significant correlation between balanced family flexibility and drug use disorder (r=-0.299; P= 0.001)
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Determinants of Infant Mortality in Rural Kenya
(IISTE (International Institute for Science, Technology and Education)., 2014) Dr. Omedi Gilbert; Wanjiru Gichuhi
Findings of 2008/09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey reveal that one in every 19 live births dies before age one. The most striking observation is the reversal in infant mortality based on type of place of residence. The report indicates that, unlike what preceding surveys reported, infant mortality is high in urban than in rural Kenya. This study used Cox regression analysis to examine the determinants of infant mortality in rural Kenya. Analytical results show that region, maternal age, birth order/preceding birth interval, and source of drinking water are significantly related to post-neonatal mortality in rural Kenya. Further, occupation of the mother, region, birth order/preceding birth interval, and source of drinking water were found to be significantly related to infant mortality in rural Kenya. Unlike in the case of post-neonatal mortality where births in Nyanza were found to be 154 percent more likely to die relative to those in Central, the study found Nyanza residence not to be significantly related to infant mortality. The study findings indicate that health policy initiatives meant to kindle family planning methods that shall result in increased birth spacing and reduced higher order births are welcome in the quest to reduce infant mortality further. Seemingly, maternal education is losing grip on early childhood mortality. Future research should focus on bringing out an understanding of the role of maternal education on infant mortality. Key words: post-neonate, infant, mortality, rural Kenya