Shifting Tongues: A Case Study of Domain Loss and Intergenerational Erosion in the Lala Language of Serenje District, Zambia

This study investigates the sociolinguistic factors contributing to the endangerment of the Lala language in Zambia’s Serenje District. Motivated by the increasing marginalisation of minority indigenous languages in favour of dominant languages, particularly Icibemba and English, the research employs a qualitative case study design. Twenty native Lala speakers from Kabamba and Serenje villages were purposively selected. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation, and analysed through the lens of Social Network Theory to understand language vitality and shift. Findings reveal that Lala is largely confined to informal domains such as home and village contexts, while being absent from formal spheres including education, governance, and urban life. Key factors driving its endangerment include rural-urban migration, the dominance of Icibemba in institutional and public domains, weakened intergenerational transmission, low social prestige, and a lack of institutional support. Despite these pressures, some community-driven and familial efforts to maintain the language were noted. The study recommends deliberate policy interventions, including the integration of Lala into local educational curricula and media, to foster its sustained vitality.