A Morpho-phonological Analysis of Luwanga Nouns and Verbs

Abstract

This study explains the hierarchical nature of the Luwanga lexicon using the Lexical Phonology theory. The study also explains the relationship between morphology and phonology, in the structure of the Luwanga lexicon. The objective of the study is to show the hierarchical arrangement of the Luwanga Lexicon to form a linguistic paradigm. This study explains the processes the Lexicon goes through in the different strata of the Lexical Phonology Theory. Word building processes and the cyclic rules that govern the whole process are also described. Some morphological processes that affect phonemes in plural formation, negation, formation of augmentative and diminutive nouns are discussed in this study. The study gives a wider understanding of the Luwanga morphophonemics. It explains the phonological variations within morphemes that mark different grammatical functions. Data collected for this study, is through interviews. A qualitative data collection procedure is used in the research. The qualitative data collected is from the native speakers of Luwanga from Matungu village in Matungu sub-county, Kakamega County. Purposive sampling technique is applied to identify the respondents for the interview process. The study established that the morphological rules of inflection and derivation are used in tandem with the phonological processes such as glide formation, vowel coalescence, and nasalization. Luwanga noun classes are also mentioned and explained. It was found out that the Luwanga lexicon can be ordered hierarchically. The principles of the LP Theory present the Luwanga lexicon morphologically and phonologically. The study dwelled on the Luwanga lexicon. an analyzation of the lexicon using the lexical rules. There is room for further studies to be done using the post lexical rules of the LP theory.