Phonological Nativisation of Swahili Loanwords in the Nyakyusa Language

Abstract

This paper examines the phonological nativisation processes of Swahili loanwords in the Nyakyusa language. The study was conducted in Rungwe district, in Mbeya region. The data were collected through the Nyakyusa written texts, elicitation guides, and observation of  native speakers‟ conversations. The study adopted the theory of Assimilation propagated by Clements (1985). The theory advocates that  when two speech communities are in contact for a considerable amount of time, they end up inter-influencing each other where the  borrowed lexicons from the recipient language are adopted or undergo some modifications. It was evident that Nyakyusa, the  beneficiary language, uses epenthesis and substitution as fixed procedures for lexicons not well shaped to influence them to fit in with  the acquiring rules. More importantly, the findings revealed that with regard to borrowing, the Nyakyusa language has changed its  phonological structure by introducing new consonants and allowing consonant clusters. The study recommends further studies on  phonological nativisation processes in other districts where Nyakyusa is spoken as a native language, such as Kyela district and in other  Bantu languages.