In an effort to expand the sociolinguistic knowledge regarding the East African diaspora, this dissertation investigates the linguistic repertoires and language attitudes of transnational populations from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who have established Kiswahili-language churches and Christian fellowships across the United States. Data was collected over a two-year period at national East African Christian conferences and two Kiswahili-language church fellowships. Using an ethnographic approach employing participant observation, semi-structured oral interviews, and written questionnaires, I investigated how the language attitudes and beliefs of an African immigrant group contribute to its members' ethnic and religious identity construction. Although there is a high regard for English, the former colonial language of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this study found that the attitudes toward indigenous African languages, especially Kiswahili, were very positive among this diaspora's members; these positive language attitudes were central to their African identity and played a major role in their spiritual lives. It was also found that ease of communication, lack of spiritual nourishment from American churches, and desires to recreate linguistically and culturally relevant worship experiences, encourage East African transnationals to establish Kiswahili churches and fellowships.This study concluded that the language attitudes of this transnational population were shaped by sociostructural forces in the research participants' home countries, and these attitudes are brought with them when they emigrate to the United States. Kiswahili is a strong marker of their African identity, and they are not likely to cease its use in the American context. It was concluded that language attitudes contributed more to this study population's ethnic identity than religious identity; however, these attitudes were a factor in how "close" they felt to God. Finally, location influenced the linkage between language and ethnic and religious identity in that participants felt "more African" utilizing their indigenous languages in Africa than in the United States, but did not feel "more Christian" using any particular language in either locale. Respondents reported feeling "closer to God" using their L1, Kiswahili, and English in the American context, with utilization of their L1 yielding the most intimate feelings of closeness.It is hoped that this study will contribute to the growing body of literature regarding African immigrants in the United States, as well as supplement our knowledge of the relationship between language and identity construction. Some of the broader impacts of this study are its potential to increase understanding of the obstacles, pressures, and coping mechanisms that African immigrant groups encounter and utilize as they transition and maintain their lives in a new country. This study will also yield greater evidence of ways that African languages are being introduced and maintained in America, and it is hoped that this study will advance our understanding of how linguistically and ethnically distinct religious communities play a role in the overall immigrant experience in America.
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