The Description of Kiha Syllable Structure

Abstract

This article identifies and describes the Kiha syllable structure. The study is guided by a binary model founded by Blevins (1996). The theory suggests the presentation of syllables in binary basing on data from Kiha. It further emphasises the explicit relationship between the underlying and surface levels of phonological representation. In conducting the study, a qualitative approach was used. The study obtained samples using non-probability sampling, where only Kiha native speakers were selected based on the purpose of the study. The technique was used because it is found useful, as it helps in obtaining useful information in Kiha. This study used ten (10) informants, five women and five men aged 30-60 years. The criteria for choosing respondents were that they ought to be pure native Kiha speakers, they must have lived there for at least twenty years and above, and finally, at this age, they might have seen how the language is manipulated. Data for the article were collected in some parts of the Kigoma region, which included Kasulu and Kigoma rural, incorporating documentary review and introspection as methods for data collection. Analyses of the Kiha Syllable revealed that the Kiha syllable structure, generally, is more motivated by onset than rhyme. However, it is significantly maintained that the Kiha Syllable is structured into five clusters that permits syllable. Categorically, the clusters are V, C, CV, CCV/NCV/CGV and CCCV or NCGV. Kiha syllable segments, heavy and light syllables, are triggered by phonological processes. Nevertheless, the study found that Kiha has no written system; consequently, the researcher sees that it is high time the language be researched for it to have its writing system. The study recommends that linguists establish the writing system of Kiha.