Kigiryama Phonology

Abstract

Abstract: This paper provides an in-depth introduction to the Phonology of Kigiryama language. Phonetics is the study of how the sounds of the world’s languages are produced and perceived. Phonology is the study of how these sounds are categorized, contrasted, and organized into larger structures in each language. In this paper, we will begin with a description of the phonotactics of Kigiryama language and Kigiryama syllable structure. Finally, this paper will analyze the phonological processes involved with both vowels and consonants in the language in question. The aim of the study is to give a phonological description of Kigiryama vowels and consonants with a special reference to the phonological processes that occur in these phonemes. Data will be collected through interview schedules and focus group discussions. Analysis of the data will involve first translating the data into English, then classifying and describing the words into the phonological processes of the vowels and consonants. The findings will show that the processes of glide formation, vowel deletion, vowel insertion and vowel height assimilation occur mainly with vowels while the processes of palatalization, labialization and assibilation occur mainly with consonants. Throughout the paper, we will work with real data from a diverse sample of the Kigiryama language. This information is fundamental to any linguistic study since it forms a foundation upon which various levels of linguistic analysis of Kigiyama is based. Key Words: Phonotactics, Syllabicity, Labialization, Palatalization, Vowel Height Assimilation, Vowel Deletion And Insertion, Assibilation And Glide Formation.