The Phonological and Lexical Variation Within Kisumu-south Nyanza Dialect of Dholuo

Abstract

This study set out to investigate the Sub dialects within Kisumu-South Nyanza dialect of Dholuo. The analysis was done within the framework of Variationist Theory proposed by Labov (1963). The main objective of the study was to investigate the phonological and lexical variations within the Kisumu South Nyanza dialect and the data used for the study was drawn from native speakers of Kisumu South Nyanza dialect living in Kisumu, Homabay and Migori counties. The study has revealed that vowel processes such as deletion, root lengthening, and glide formation are responsible for the phonological variations observed in KSN dialect of Dholuo. It was also established that Kisumu South Nyanza Dialect of Dholuo exhibits lexical variations that define the sub dialects within it. These variations define three distinct sub dialects of KSN that are phonologically and lexically marked. It was also established that the occurrence of these phonological and lexical variables is determined by the geographical locations of the speakers.