Syllable structure in kingindo

This study describes the syllable structure of Kingindo taking Kimagingo variety as a Case Study using the theory of Metrical Phonology. Very few studies on Kingindo language have so far been done. Therefore, this study is done so as to fill the gap of knowledge caused by scarce written linguistic materials of Kingindo, Kimagingo variety in particular. In studying the Syllable structure of Kingindo language; this study employs four data collection techniques, namely Observation and Listening, Questionnaire, Documentary Review and Interviews. The findings of this study show that Kingindo, Kimagingo variety in particular, allows nine syllable patterns which are divided into two parts the first being those with a light syllabic structure and second those with a heavy syllabic structure. The findings also reveal that there are different phonological processes that affect the structure of Kimagingo syllables. These processes, for example, Homorganic Nasal Assimilation are natural, in that they operate in order to conform to the phonetic system of the language. Other processes, for example, Vowel Deletion take place in order to conform to the sequential constraints of the language. In fact, these phonological processes are governed by rules. The Kimagingo syllables are based on a vowel, typically the nucleus of the syllable (open syllables).A recommendation for further areas of study would be the phonology of the language, particularly the relationship between syllable structure and tone of the language and aspects of suprasegmental phonology (stress, duration (lengthening), rhythm, intonation etc). This study is a description of Kingindo syllables with reference to only one variety, Kimagingo. There is a need to study other Kingindo variety too for comparative purposes.