Luwanga morphophonemics a natural generative phonology

Abstract

This work investigates Luwanga Morphophonemics within the Natural Generative Phonology (NGP) framework. It is aimed at examining the various alternations that occur in Luwanga in relation to their phonological and morphological environments and to explain what motivates these alternations. In chapter one, we present the general background to the study. A number of issues are discussed, including the background to the language, statement of the research problem, rationale, objectives of the study as well as the hypothesis. We present the scope and limitations of the study, the theoretical framework to be adopted, the various relevant texts used for the study in the form of literature review and finally the method used to collect data. In chapter two, we present aspects ofLuwanga phonology and morphology. Chapter three entails an analysis of the data collected and this forms the core of the study where we discuss the systematic relationship between sounds and their environments. Various processes are examined and reasons for their motivation explained. In chapter four, we conclude by highlighting the key findings based on the methodology employed and make a determination as to whether Luwanga morphophonemic alternations can be accounted for within the NGP framework.