Semantic Change in Swahili Words Borrowed From Arabic Language

Abstract

This study discusses semantic change in Swahili words borrowed from Arabic language. The study is done within the provisions of the contextual theory of semantics which states that the meanings of words are context sensitive and change in different contexts. The study observes that the assignment of meanings to Swahili words of Arabic origin is associated with the cultural context of the Swahili language. The study describes the various forms of semantic change that take place and the subsequent lexical meanings that get assigned to Swahili words borrowed Arabic. The forms of semantic change described in the study are semantic broadening, narrowing, shift and pejoration. The study data was obtained from a Kiswahili dictionary ‘Kamusi ya Karne ya 21’ where purposive sampling was used to identify the Swahili words of Arabic origin that exhibited semantic change. The study focuses on the standard variety of both languages, that is, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Standard Kiswahili. The study concludes that some Swahili words of Arabic origin have adopted meanings that are radically different from their original usage in Arabic.