With a sociolinguistic scope, the present research work is aimed to investigate and examine SiSwati variations/dialects in the four regions of Eswatini (Hhohho, Lubombo, Shiselweni and Manzini).
Since dialectal study is comparative, the SiSwati texts in the four regions have been compared to a standardized version of the language, that is, the SiSwati variant that is being taught in schools. The major linguistic focus of this study is morphological variation, lexical variation and syntactical variation. Four speakers, from the four different regions have been interviewed for this study. The results indicated that SiSwati, just like any other language spoken by a large speech community, has variations. Major linguistic differences have been noted in the construction of words, the choice of vocabulary used by the speakers, and the construction of sentences.
Many scholars, like Khumalo have deliberated on the dialects of Emaswati. These studies mainly focus on the phonological variations. So far, little attention has been paid to awareness regarding other areas of dialect variation such as lexical variation and grammatical variation. This study will present the morphological, lexical and syntactic differences of the dialects of SiSwati in the different regions of Eswatini. The effort of this study is to research the different dialects is an effort to understand the differences in the society. It will identify the possible similarities and differences between the lexical items of these dialects and the standard SiSwati, also, with the aim of showing peculiarities as far as their morphologic systems are concerned.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of the study
1.2 Scope of Study
1.3 Method of data collection
1.4 Literature review on dialectology
2.0 The Shiselweni dialect
2.1 Morphophonemic variation
2.2 Lexical variation
2.3 Syntactic variation
3.0 The Manzini dialect
3.1 morphophonemic variation
3.2 Lexical variation
3.3 Syntactic variation
4.0 Lubombo (Lomahasha) Dialect
4.1 Morphophonemic variation
4.2 Study of Lexical variation
4.3 Syntactic Variation
5.0 Hhohho Dialect
5.1 Morphophonemic Variation
5.2 Lexical Variation
5.3 Syntactic Variation
6.0 Conclusion
6.1 Recommendations
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this research is to investigate and analyze dialectal variations in SiSwati across the four regions of Eswatini (Hhohho, Lubombo, Shiselweni, and Manzini). The study aims to compare regional speech patterns with the idealized, school-taught standard version of the language, focusing on identifying linguistic differences in word formation, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
- Sociolinguistic investigation of regional SiSwati dialects.
- Comparative analysis of morphophonemic, lexical, and syntactic variations.
- Evaluation of the influence of standard SiSwati versus indigenous dialectal features.
- Assessment of language contact impacts on regional vocabulary and grammar.
Excerpt from the Book
1.0 Introduction
According to a Cambridge Language Centre’s online publication, “SiSwati is a Niger-Congo language and a Bantu member of the Benue-Congo group of languages (Nguni subgroup), spoken by some 2 million people chiefly in Eswatini, where it is an official language, as well as in South Africa and Mozambique.” The closest linguistic affiliation is with Zulu. This is a statement which (Khumalo, 1981) have agreed upon “SiSwati is mutually intelligible with Zulu, which implies that their structures are similar.”
Furthermore, SiSwati is a language spoken by Emaswati living in the kingdom of Eswatini and neighbouring countries including the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. According to Carson (2019), many Bantu of the Eastern Transvaal are tribally speaking SiSwati and participate in Swazi traditional ceremonies although they fall under the administration of South Africa. We therefore note that political boundaries are not language boundaries. This is so true for Eswatini because Carson (2019) also states that the areas in South Africa including Carolina, Ermelo and Barberton once belonged to Eswatini.
SiSwati is a language that is widely used in Eswatini. According to Eswatini’s language policy for schools it is considered an official language together with English (Mordaunt, 1990). It is the widely used language followed by English. Eswatini has four regions namely; Lubombo, Shiselweni, Hhohho and Manzini. According to Khumalo (1981), in her research project on a dialect found in the southern part of Eswatini, states that the dialect is not standard SiSwati. According to the National African Language Research Centre (NALRC), standard SiSwati is the closest approximation to what is spoken around the traditional royal capital of Lobamba in central eastern Eswatini.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the linguistic background of SiSwati, defines the scope of dialectal study, and outlines the methodological approach involving interviews with native speakers from Eswatini’s four regions.
2.0 The Shiselweni dialect: This section examines the specific morphological, lexical, and syntactical deviations found in the Shiselweni region, highlighting its strong influence by the Zulu language.
3.0 The Manzini dialect: This chapter analyzes the innovative nature of the Manzini dialect, noting its role as an industrial hub and the resulting inclusion of loanwords and varied grammatical structures.
4.0 Lubombo (Lomahasha) Dialect: The discussion focuses on the impact of geographical proximity to the Mozambique border on the local SiSwati dialect, particularly regarding phonological and lexical adaptations.
5.0 Hhohho Dialect: This chapter explores the linguistic features of the Hhohho dialect, drawing parallels to southern variants while identifying unique morphological changes influenced by neighboring regions.
6.0 Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings across all four regions, confirming that SiSwati exhibits significant variation and providing recommendations for future research in dialectometry.
Keywords
SiSwati, Eswatini, Dialectology, Sociolinguistics, Morphophonemic variation, Lexical variation, Syntactic variation, Language contact, Standardization, Shiselweni, Manzini, Lubombo, Hhohho, Zulu, Language evolution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
This study investigates the regional variations of the SiSwati language across the four regions of Eswatini and compares them to the standardized version of the language taught in schools.
What are the primary linguistic themes analyzed in the study?
The study primarily focuses on three levels of language variation: morphophonemic (word construction), lexical (choice of vocabulary), and syntactic (sentence and phrase structure).
What is the research goal of this work?
The main goal is to identify and document how regional dialects in Eswatini differ from idealized SiSwati, thereby understanding the sociolinguistic dynamics and language evolution within these geographic areas.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this research?
The researcher uses a comparative linguistic approach, utilizing data collected through interviews with native speakers from different regions who retold a specific folk story, which was then analyzed against standard SiSwati norms.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the paper?
The body offers a detailed dialectal breakdown of the four regions (Shiselweni, Manzini, Lubombo, and Hhohho), analyzing specific examples of sound shifts, vocabulary replacement, and changes in adverb or modifier placement by regional speakers.
Which keywords categorize this work?
Key terms include SiSwati dialectology, sociolinguistics, morphophonemic and syntactic variations, language contact, and regional subdivisions within Eswatini.
How does the Shiselweni dialect demonstrate the influence of the Zulu language?
The study shows that the Shiselweni dialect borrows morphological rules, such as specific Zulu noun prefixes and sound patterns, because of its geographical proximity and constant interaction with Zulu speakers across the border.
Why characterizes the Manzini region as highly innovative?
Manzini is described as the most innovative dialect because it serves as an industrial, metropolitan center that frequently incorporates loanwords and undergoes shifts in word structure due to migration from all different regions.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lwandze Dlamini (Autor:in), 2020, The different Dialects spoken in Eswatini, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1436661
