Nativization in Kenyan English

1. Greetings

• Q: Is it well with you?
  A: It is well.
• Mother I greet you.

2. Forms of Address

• Daughter of the Rulers (husband addressing wife)
• Son of Sipul (neighbor to neighbor)
• Son of my mother (brother to brother)
• Mwalimu (teacher)
• Bwana (African to non-African male)
• Memsahib (African to non-African female)

3. Abuses/Threats

• Go away and eat ashes.
• You will know who I am.
• P1: Cow!
  P2: Hyena!
  P1: Even you!

4. Riddles/Proverbs

• Kagutui ka Mucii gatihakugwo Ageni; the oilskin of the house is not for rubbing into the skin of strangers.
• I am Atai castor-oil, the oil that is given to cause diarrhea to girls who lack a slim waist line.

These all come from Zuengler (1982, p. 117).