A Morpho-Phonological Analysis of Borrowed Nouns from Luganda to Kupsabiny
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
In linguistics, borrowing is significantly used to enrich languages. In the case of Luganda, an established Bantu language spoken in Uganda, existing studies reveal that loanwords have been a major source of vocabulary expansion in Kupsabiny, a Southern Nilotic language spoken in Uganda. However, limited research has been identified dealing with the analysis on morpho-phonological patterns exhibited by borrowed words. This study therefore focuses on a morphophonological analysis of borrowed nouns by Kupsabiny from Luganda. These are two different languages belonging to two different linguistic families. The following objectives guide the study: to examine morphological patterns exhibited by borrowed nouns in Kupsabiny from Luganda in Kapchorwa District, explore phonological patterns exhibited by borrowed nouns in Kupsabiny from Luganda in Kapchorwa District, and determine the process of morphophonology engaged in the adaptation of nouns borrowed in Kupsabiny from Luganda in Kapchorwa District. The study collected qualitative data using a descriptive research design through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with the aid of an interview schedule and audio tape recorder. Optimality Theory (OT) developed by Kager (1999) was adopted for data analysis. The population targeted was native speakers of the Kupsabiny language within the municipality of Kapchorwa district estimated at 12,399 in number. A purposive sampling procedure was used to settle on a sample size of 50 informants. This was a reasonable number to collect qualitative data for the study. the findings reveal that Luganda borrowed nouns undergo morphological changes to conform to Kupsabiny's noun class system. Additionally, Luganda's borrowed nouns syllable structures and phonemes are modified to align with Kupsabiny's phonotactic constraints. Additionally, the morphophonological modifications applied to Luganda borrowed nouns are essential for maintaining linguistic coherence and intelligibility within Kupsabiny. The findings are intended to shed light on the linguistic dynamics in language contact and adaptation. The findings are also relevant to linguistics enthusiasts, language researchers, and those interested in the intricate workings of language borrowing and language change. The findings therefore seek to contribute to both empirical understandings of language borrowing and adaptation
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Masters of Arts in English and Linguistics of Kenyatta University, November, 2025
Supervisor:
1.Joshua M. Itumo