Analysis of lexical and phonological variations in contemporary Lusoga

Abstract

The study focused on analysing lexical and phonological variations in contemporary Lusoga. Its primary aim was to investigate the nature and extent of these variations in spoken Lusoga. Specifically, it identified and categorised the lexical and phonological differences present in contemporary Lusoga, while also examining the linguistic and contextual factors contributing to their existence. Research was conducted among native Lusoga speakers across three districts in the Busoga region: Iganga, Luwuka, and Kamuli. Districts such as Jinja, Mayuge, Kaliro, and Namayingo were excluded due to their mixed tribal populations and multilingualism resulting from migration. The study employed descriptive and comparative research designs to identify, categorise, and analyse lexical variations and their causes. Qualitative data were gathered through questionnaires aimed at sociolinguistic categorisation of respondent variables, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, word lists, and key informant interviews. These methods targeted native Lusoga speakers from diverse age groups and dialectal backgrounds. The study was grounded in linguistic variation theory, particularly the first wave pioneered by William Labov (1963 & 1969), which emphasises documenting language variation and change within communities. Findings revealed numerous lexical and phonological variations in contemporary Lusoga, influenced by factors such as language contact and borrowing, migration, economic activity, occupation, age group, and education. The research contributed to a deeper appreciation of linguistic diversity among Lusoga speakers, promoting unity and pride. It also provided valuable resources for authors of Lusoga educational materials and textbooks, such as dictionaries, and established a foundational framework for further research in sociolinguistics, dialectology, and language preservation.

Keywords: Lexical and phonological variations