Lexicostatistical comparison of ki-lungu, ki-fipa and ki-mambwe
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Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study attempted to trace the phonological and lexical relationships of three languages: Ki-Lungu, Ki-Fipa and Ki-Mambwe spoken in Rukwa region in Tanzania and the northern province of Zambia. Based on the lexicostatistical method, which uses core vocabulary to determine the degree of genetic relationship, and the phonological-change, which identifies phonological innovations for establishing genetic relationship, this study identified three languages under study as phonologically and lexically related. The data were collected through the use of four informants, two of Ki-Mambwe and the other two of Ki-Fipa. Each participant was given a list of words and was asked to provide the equivalents in a given language. Data from Ki-Lungu were obtained from the researcher’s intuitive knowledge and verified by two other native speakers of the language. Thereafter, data analysis was conducted in line with the objectives of the study. The findings were analyzed and interpreted according to the levels of linguistic analysis applied in the study. Among the major findings of the study was that the three languages studied manifested dialectal variations at the phonological and lexical levels although Ki-Fipa language displayed more variation in relation to the other two languages. This was attributed to the long distance between the Fipa and the other two. Divergence was said to have played a crucial role in exacerbating the linguistic differences among them. On the other hand, Mambwe and Lungu languages were found to display minimal linguistic variations between them because of their geographical proximity. Finally, the study concluded that there were more lexical and phonological similarities shared by the three languages than it was expected. Minor phonological differences were noticed from Ki-Fipa although they could not be used to set it apart from the other two.
Description
: Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF PL8025.1.N763)
Keywords
Bantu languages, Grammar, Comperative
Citation
Ntenchi, S. (2015).Lexicostatistical comparison of ki-lungu, ki-fipa and ki-mambwe, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.