Investigation into the Phonemic Status of Vowel Length in Nyakyusa

This study aimed to determine whether vowel length functions as a phonemic feature in Nyakyusa, focusing on examining whether vowel length is a meaning-changing feature in Nyakyusa and analysing whether vowel length distinguishes parts of speech in Nyakyusa. The study was informed by the Distinctive Features Theory, which suggests that phonemes are distinguished by their distinctive phonological attributes. This descriptive study was conducted in Ikombe and Matema villages in Kyela District where Nyakyusa is predominant. About 8 native Nyakyusa speakers were purposively selected for this study whose data were collected through document reviews, observation, and interviews, and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that vowel length is a key phonemic feature in Nyakyusa, playing a crucial role in differentiating parts of speech. It is concluded that the phonemic status of vowel length is shaped by each language’s unique phonological structure and history. Therefore, the study recommends to conduct systematic comparative studies across other Bantu and African languages such as Afro-Asiatic languages to determine whether similar phonemic patterns exist.