Tonal Minimal Pairs in Xitsonga: A study of nouns and verbs

Abstract

This study examined the role of tone in Xitsonga minimal pairs, focusing on nouns and verbs. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, it applied a desktop research method to analyse data from secondary sources such as published literature, dictionaries, grammar books and language texts. Data were purposively sampled and analysed by thematic analysis within the framework of Saussurean structural linguistics. The study identified four key patterns of tonal minimal pairs in Xitsonga. Tonal variation within nouns distinguishes meanings in words with identical segmental structures. In verbs, the tone differentiates forms and alters semantic interpretation. Pitch variation also functions as a marker between lexical categories, distinguishing nouns from verbs. Additionally, tonal minimal pairs appear in other categories, including ideophones, adverbs, and pronouns. These findings highlight the crucial role of tone in Xitsonga’s linguistic system, reinforcing its significance in lexical classification and meaning differentiation. They also enhance the knowledge of Xitsonga’s phonological system, offering insights into how tonal features can create contrasts within the language and inform future phonological and linguistic studies.