A synchronic segmental morphophonology of standard kiswahili

Abstract

This study investigates the sound changes that are evident in Standard Kiswahili. It uses a synchronic approach in analyzing Standard Kiswahili phonemes and eventually lays down phonemic inventory for all the phonemes. The intention of the study was to explore sound changes in Standard Kiswahili phonemes and to investigate the environments under which such changes occur. It also aimed at investigating aspects of Standard Kiswahili phonology and morphology relevant to the discussion on sound changes. The research also aimed at exploring the sound adjustments that affect borrowed vocabulary and appreciate how the adjustments relate with Standard Kiswahili morphophonology. The study hypothesized that sound changes in Standard Kiswahili follow a specific and predictable pattern. Further, sound changes in Standard Kiswahili consonants are brought about by other consonants while those of vowels are brought about by other vowels while the said phonemes occur in neighbouring environments. The sound system of borrowed vocabulary was assumed to adjust in such a way as to commensurate with the native Standard Kiswahili vocabulary. This study is significant because it is a critical analysis of Kiswahili phonemes and sound changes. As a result, the study lays down a phonemic inventory for Standard Kiswahili. This research may be used in comparative study of Standard Kiswahili and other languages or dialects. The study also tests the validity of the two theories used vis¬a-vis Standard Kiswahili. The study also uses a hitherto unused theory in Standard Kiswahili to study. This is a segmental study which focuses on analysing Standard Kiswahili sound segments. The study has limited itself to Standard Kiswahili as used in Kenya and Tanzania. The study uses two theories; Natural Generative Phonological Theory and Autosegmental Phonological Theory as well as Generative Phonology features espoused by Chomsky and Halle (1968). These are modified slightly to fit the analysis of a Bantu language. During the research, a lot of literature was reviewed. Much of it was to do with phonology and phonological theories as well as books in and on Standard Kiswahili. Books concerning the origin of Kiswahili language were also reviewed.

This research was largely library based. Most of the data was drawn using purposive sampling. Introspection was also used. The results were tested by using near native speakers of Standard Kiswahili, mostly Kiswahili scholars. Apart from analyzing Standard Kiswahili phonology, aspects of morphology were also investigated. Further, the study also engages in a comprehensive exploration and analysis of both consonant and vowel processes. It shows the environments under which the various changes occur. It further posits both general and formal rules that govern each process. These rules enable the understanding of both surface realizations and the underlying forms of various items. It has been demonstrated that each change is governed by a certain rule; be it phonological, morphological or via rules. The consonant processes that are discussed include lenition, fortition, palatalisation, homorganic nasal assimilation and consonant deletion. The vowel processes studied are: coalescence, deletion, glide formation, vowel harmony and vowel nasalization. It is in these last two processes that the Autosegmental Theory has been applied. It is noted that loanwords borrowed by Standard Kiswahili from different languages inter alia, English, Arabic, Persian and Portuguese are nativised but, nevertheless, some structures alien to Standard Kiswahili are brought into the language through the borrowing. Nativisation is achieved through processes like substitution, insertion and deletion of both consonants and vowels. After nativisation, in most words, the nati ve Standard Kiswahili phonological processes mentioned above become applicable to the various lexical items so nativised. This study of study of Standard Kiswahili phonemes lays phonemic inventory and matrices, distinctive features and posits rules for the various processes. It may help in understanding of loan words. The use of a Supra-segmental theory in the study of Standard Kiswahili phonology is to the best of'jhis researcher's knowledge, a pioneering endeavour. It sets a paradigm and provides a comparative scale for other Kiswahili dialects and African languages.