Phonological Adaptation of Dholuo Verbs and Nouns Borrowed into Ekegusii

Dorothy Kwamboka Magara, George Anyona & George Aberi
Department of Languages, Linguistics
Kisii University, Kenya
Email: dorothymagara@gmail.com

Abstract: This study evaluates how Dholuo lexical items (nouns and verbs) that got their way into EkeGusii language are integrated and nativised to fit within EkeGusii phonological inventory. Languages tend to borrow words from other languages when they get into contact with each other. EkeGusii, for instance, has borrowed many words from Dholuo as a result of assimilation and their regular interaction. The study targeted two types of populations: the population of participants and that of the borrowed words. Purposive sampling techniques were used to pick respondents for the study. Using Hooper’s (1976) Generative phonology theory that seeks to explain the mental processes underlying language production and perception, the study identified and described the phonological changes that loan words from Dholuo undergo to fit into EkeGusii phonological system. The study confirmed that borrowed Dholuo words are integrated into EkeGusii phonological system through stop weakening, devoicing of Dholuo consonants, consonant substitution, vowel epenthesis, and vowel substitution. The findings from this study will contribute to the existing literature on African languages in relation to borrowing within generative phonology. Based on the findings of the study, more studies are recommended on other African languages to give a clear picture on how EkeGusii language adapts words borrowed from other Nilotic groups, considering that the Gusii people are bordered with Nilotic speakers.