The syllable structure of Ruruuli-Lunyala

Abstract

This study investigates the syllable structure of R-L focusing on describing its syllable patterns, their frequency and distribution in R-L verbs and nouns. It also focuses on the changes in syllable patterns of verbs and nouns as well as the processes that underlie such changes. The rationale for this study stems from the need to document and analyse R-L’s phonological structure especially its syllable structure and how it changes in morphophonological contexts. The study on syllable structure and syllable pattern change in different contexts in lesser-known Bantu languages in Uganda and beyond. A Generative CV Phonology theory that organises the syllable structure in a multitiered hierarchical model comprising the syllable node, a CV tier and a segmental tier works as the theoretical foundation for the analysis of syllable patterns of R-L and how these patterns change in context. The study employs a secondary data collection method with the Ruruuli-Lunyala dictionary as a secondary data source for word tokens used to analyse the syllable structure of this language. The findings of the study reveal the CV correlate with the general Bantu theory that attests the CV as the universal syllable structure (Odden, 2015). Ruruuli-Lunyala also portrays complex syllable structure formation, with CGVV an NCGVV structures present. The lack of underlying geminates in R-L was also evident, with the identified CCV and CCVV syllables being born of morphological processes and borrowing. The study further reveals the presence of dissimilar vowel sequences in R-L which are both heterosyllabic and tautosyllabic depending on the word position they occur. In addition, the study reveals gliding, segmental deletion, compensatory lengthening and imbrication as mainly responsible for the syllable pattern changes in R-L. This study is relevant to Bantu phonological theory by navigating the interplay of morphophonological contexts in shaping the syllable structure and syllable pattern changes in R-L, a less-described Bantu language of Uganda.