Kiswahili

English-induced Semantic Expansion in Swahili

2024-01-30T07:05:08+00:00

Equivalent lexical terms in different languages rarely match in all their shades of meanings. For example, a lexical term, which is a polyseme in language A, is not necessarily a polyseme in language B with which it is in contact. However, this study reports a context where equivalents in different languages influence each other’s scopes of meaning in a multilingual context. This corpus analysis reveals that a sizeable number of Swahili monosemes have changed to polysemes in emulating English polysemous equivalents with which they are in contact. The analysis reveals that this powerful language-induced meaning expansion starts in less formal media, such as the press, before spreading to formal media, such as the dictionary and the book.

A Systematic Description of Imbrication in Nyakyusa

2024-01-30T07:11:05+00:00

This paper offers a systematic description of imbrication in Nyakyusa (M31). The review of the literature indicates that, in Nyakyusa, imbrication, a phonological change involving the opaque difference between the input and output forms in the -ile suffix, has not been systematically described. Hence, the paper offers this description by identifying triggering conditions and reconstructing the phonological processes shaping imbrication. Data for this paper were collected in Kyela district through a review of written texts, narrative stories, observation and interviews. The findings indicate that the syllable structure of the verb is the main determinant of imbrication in Nyakyusa. Quite obviously, the process of imbrication involves the deletion of the consonant in the -ile, followed by metathesis whereby the last consonant of the stem fills the empty slot caused by the deletion of [l]. Then, various adjustments that follow, i.e., vowel coalescence, vowel deletion, vowel rising, leftward spread of vowel, and vowel lengthening, are meant to resolve hiatus. The paper concludes that, based on the review of literature, although imbrication is common in some Bantu languages, we noted some conditions and phonological processes shaping imbrication to be language specific. In this view, this paper recommends a systematic comparative description of imbrication in other Bantu languages.

Faida ya Kujifunza kwa Kuegemea Mfumo wa Isimu ya Kiswahili: Mfano wa China

2024-01-30T07:15:02+00:00

Makala³hii inachunguza changamoto na faida zilizopo kwa wanaojifunza Kiswahili kwa kutumia mifumo ya kiada iliyopo nchini China. Mifumo hii inaweza kujumuishwa katika makundi mawili4 . Kundi la kwanza ni mfumo ulioenea nchini China, kama maeneo mengine ulimwenguni, ambao hugawa nomino katika umoja na wingi kama kielelezo kikuu. Kundi la pili ni mfumo ambao umetungwa kwa kuiegemea isimu ya Kiswahili na ya lugha yake mame ya Kibantu. Data zilikusanywa uwandani kwa njia ya hojaji na mahojiano ya ana kwa ana. Mbinu zilizotumika katika uchanganuzi wa data ni mkabala wa kimaelezo. Uchambuzi uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Uamilifu. Matokeo yanaonesha kuwa mfumo ulioenea China si tofauti na ule ulioanzishwa nyakati za ukoloni, wakati ambapo mfumo wa isimu ya Kiswahili haukutambulika na hata manufaa yake katika utunzi wa mitaala na vitabu vya Kiswahili hayakutiliwa maanani. Ingawa hali hii huonekana kama inawafaa wanaoanza kujifunza Kiswahili angalau mwanzoni, baada ya muda mfupi huwa bayana kuwa baadhi ya masuala yanayofundishwa katika lugha hii hayaelezeki kwa njia mwanana kimfumo.

Dhima ya Ngoma katika Tamthiliya ya Kiswahili ya Kimajaribio: Mfano kutoka Lina Ubani (1984)

2024-01-30T07:21:59+00:00

Makala hii inachunguza dhima ya ngoma katika tamthiliya ya Kiswahili ya kimajaribio. Tafiti kuhusu matumizi ya ngoma katika tamthiliya ya Kiswahili ya kimajaribio zimeishia katika ngazi ya kubainisha tu pasi na kuchambua dhima zake. Kitendo cha kubainisha tu bila kuchambua dhima za ngoma katika tamthiliya ya Kiswahili ya kimajaribio hakioneshi umuhimu wa kipengele hicho cha kifasihi simulizi katika kazi za fasihi andishi. Data za makala hii zilipatikana maktabani kwa kusoma tamthiliya ya Lina Ubani kisha kuchambua dhima ya ngoma. Uchambuzi wa data za makala hii umeongozwa na Nadharia ya Uamilifu. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yanaonesha kuwa ngoma ina dhima za kifani na kimaudhui katika tamthiliya ya Kiswahili ya kimajaribio.

Uathirianomatini wa Kimtindo katika Ushairi wa Kiswahili: Mfano wa “Utenzi wa Hati” na “Utenzi wa Mwanakupona”

2024-01-30T07:41:32+00:00

Bakhtin (1981) anaeleza kwamba matini za kifasihi huathiriana na kuhusiana. Kila matini ya kifasihi ina sauti zinazoingiliana na kuhusiana na matini nyingine zilizopo, zilizopita au zijazo. Hata hivyo, Bakhtin haoni kama ushairi una uathiriano na ushairi mwingine sawia kama inavyojitokeza katika riwaya. Baadhi ya wataalamu waliohakiki “Utenzi wa Hati” na “Utenzi wa Mwanakupona” wanadai kuwa tenzi hizi zimeathiriana. Makala hii inalenga kudhihirisha uathirianomatini wa kimtindo kati ya “Utenzi wa Hati” na “Utenzi wa Mwanakupona” katika ushairi wa Kiswahili. Makala hii imeongozwa na Nadharia ya Usemezano ya Bakhtin. Ingawa, kwa mujibu wa nadharia hiyo, riwaya ndio utanzu unaotegemea zaidi uathiriano na matini nyingine kuliko ushairi, makala hii inapanua mawanda yake kwa kuchunguza uathiriano wa kimtindo katika ushairi. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yameonesha kuwapo kwa uathiriano wa muundo, msamiati, majibizano na tamathali za semi.

Trying the Sails from the Lamu Archipelago to the Arabian Gulf: The ‘death’ of Mtepe and Subsequent Rise of Jahazi

2024-01-30T07:46:44+00:00

Matondoni²village in the Lamu archipelago³ is known for its jahazi (dhow) building tradition. The Swahili used to build dhows without using nails. Such dhows were known as mtepe (pl. mitepe). This article traces why mtepe became extinct and discusses jahazi building traditions, beliefs, dances and sacrifices in Matondoni village. These include jahazi launch feast, sewing and trying the sail and the role of the women’s vugo 4 dance. In addition, it investigates Swahili navigation and astronomy, from the Lamu archipelago to Arabia. The article establishes that jahazi became more popular than mtepe due to the need for a stronger vessel to promote the emerging maritime economy. The article finds that jahazi did not immediately replace mtepe, but the two coexisted until jahazi became the vessel of choice, which stopped the production of mtepe.