Lexical Loss and Replacement in Kinga

Abstract

Lexical loss and replacement in Kinga are among the impacts of lexical change in language. Language contact acts as a main mediator in linguistic change. In this case, the recipient language may be affected in language systems, especially lexical loss and replacement, leading to lexical change. Kinga has been in contact with Swahili and other nearby languages for a long time. Some of the Kinga words have been lost permanently, and others have been replaced. This paper traces the way Kinga is losing some of its lexical items while others are being replaced by items from different languages, mainly from Swahili. The data analysis processes are based on a qualitative approach. This study is guided by the Cultural Transmission Theory developed by Kenny Smith in 2003. The findings of this paper reveal that Kinga has experienced lexical change because it incorporates words from other nearby languages into its lexicon. Kiswahili seems to have many words in Kinga. The study also postulates that there are changes experienced in phonology, syntax, morphology, and semantics in Kinga. Generally, the results of this paper show that many Swahili words have penetrated into Kinga in the contact situation, whereby some of Kinga’s lexical items have been lost while others have been replaced. Language and culture are two things that are intertwined. Elders have to use the language according to their linguistic backgrounds, whereas the new generation learns it as it is used in the natural context. This situation makes the vitality of Kinga as one of the Ethnic Community Languages in Tanzania.