Research Article
Iraqw Consonantal Phonological Processes at Dareda Ward in Manyara Region, Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
102-121
Received:
10 October 2026
Accepted:
26 October 2026
Published:
31 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.cls.20261204.11
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Abstract: Iraqw is a Southern Cushitic language spoken in northern Tanzania. Previous studies have described some aspects of Iraqw phonology, but more information is needed about the consonantal changes that occur in the language and the conditions under which they take place. This study examined lexical consonantal phonological processes in Iraqw, with the aim of identifying the processes, describing their conditioning environments, and explaining how they operate at the lexical level. The study used a qualitative design to analyse Iraqw consonantal phonological processes. Data were collected through elicitation, documentary sources, and focus group discussions with twelve native Iraqw speakers aged 50-80 from Loto and Bermi villages in Dareda Ward, Babati Rural District, Manyara Region, Tanzania. The analysis was guided by Lexical Phonology and Distinctive Feature Theory. The data were analysed by examining consonant changes and the linguistic environments in which they occur. Phonological rules were then formulated using the underlying representation (UR), lexical representation (LR), and phonetic representation (PR) model. The rules followed the format A → B / C __ D. The findings identified four (4) lexical consonantal phonological processes in Iraqw: consonant deletion, voicing, fortition, and glide formation. The processes occur in different phonological and morphological environments. For example, voicing occurs in plural formation, where the voiceless consonant /t/ changes to the voiced consonant [d]. These findings show that consonant changes in Iraqw follow identifiable patterns that can be explained through phonological rules. The study concludes that the identified processes help explain how consonants behave in different linguistic environments in Iraqw. It recommends that the findings be used in preparing Iraqw language teaching materials, dictionaries, and orthographic guidelines. It also calls for greater government and institutional support for documenting indigenous languages, promoting their use in education, and preserving them for future generations.
Abstract: Iraqw is a Southern Cushitic language spoken in northern Tanzania. Previous studies have described some aspects of Iraqw phonology, but more information is needed about the consonantal changes that occur in the language and the conditions under which they take place. This study examined lexical consonantal phonological processes in Iraqw, with the ...
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,
Kulikoyela Kahigi
