Phonological Descriptions in Kémunasukuma: Processes and Rules

Abstract

This paper aims at describing phonological processes in Kémunasukuma dialect of the Kísukuma language because there is no evidence of any literature of Kisukuma phonological processes despite the existence of a number of literature onKisukuma. Thus, we are obliged to fill this content gap. Methodologically, the study used documentary review and focus group discussion. Six (6) Sukuma informants were used for focus group discussion and three (3) Sukuma documents were selected for the review. During data analysis, the Natural Generative Phonology approach was used in which principles that govern the association of phonological and phonetic representations of mapping as the rules of the algorithm were applied. It was found that deletion, coalescence, Palatalization, affrication, insertion, vowel lengthening, nasalization, assimilation, gliding, aspiration and phonological processes in the language under discussion. It can be concluded that other phonological phenomena such as voicing, aspiration, dissimilation, metathesis, vowel weakening and strengthening that seem to be found in the Kisukuma language need investigation.