A phonological analysis of Shi-ngazija

This study is the first attempt at analysing the phonology of Shi-Ngazija using Generative Phonology framework. 'The goal of phonology is to study the proper­ ties of the sound systems which speakers must learn or internalize in order to use their language for the purpose of to communication'(Hyman 1975g 1). It is in the light of this that the present study has tried to systematically capture generalizations which underlie phonetic realizations of utterances in terms of formal phonological rules. The dissertation is organized into five chapters. Chapter one introduces the problem area followed by the justification why it is hoped that the study is going to be of significance. In this chapter, a survey of existing literature on Shi-Ngazija is given. Then, follows a brief description of the Generative model which has been chosen to be the basis of the analysis. Chapters 3 and 4 present phonological processes which operate in Shi-Ngazija. Phonological processes which affect vowels are discussed in chapter 3 and those which affect consonants are discussed in chapter 4. The processes are expressed in terms of formal rules which capture important generaliations. Chapter 5 concludes the analysis with a summary of finding In this chapter, the question 'Is Shi-Ngazija a dialect of Swahili is considered. The consideration is based on what the phonological findings seem to indicate.