Phonological Adaption of Swahili Loanword in Matengo Language

The study investigates the phonological adaptation of Kiswahili loaned words in Matengo Language, with specific objectives, namely: to examine the underlying structure and surface structure of the loaned Swahili words in Matengo Language and to assess the phonological processes involved in the loaned Swahili words in Matengo Language. The study was guided by the Generative theory. Data were collected through interviews and documentary reviews, employing a descriptive approach. Ten adult native speakers of Matengo language were sampled from Mbinga District and those residing in Dar es Salaam using non-probability sampling (snowball). The study revealed that borrowing across languages shares commonality in phonological processes, although there is variation in the environments where the processes take place. Several strategies for phonological processes were identified in the adaptation of Swahili loaned words in Matengo: substitution, vowel deletion, adoption or structure preservation, insertion, homorganic nasal assimilation, devoicing, and stopping.