Abstract
This paper aims to explore, compare and analyse Malawian and Nigerian immigrants’ attitudes and motivation regarding the acquisition of isiZulu and towards its speakers in Johannesburg. The two central objectives of the article were, first; to determine the types of attitudes and motivations held by each of the two groupings towards isiZulu and its speakers. Second; to establish the underlying reasons for the differences between the two. Being investigative and exploratory in nature, the study adopted a phenomenological qualitative research approach, in order to get to the bottom of the problem. The data collected from one-on-one interview method were thematically analysed. Participants’ attitudes were inferred from their responses and reactions to various language learning situations, such as the tendency of the Zulus...