Abstract:
Most of Kiwanga nouns transform their internal structures to external structures when augmentated or diminutated. These changes are as a result of morhophonological processes unfolded by {ku-/mi-} nd {xa-/ru-} morphemes interaction with the noun stems. Purposely, this research work intended to describe changes in Kiwanga noun structures under the topic; Morphophonological processes of augmentative and diminutive Kiwanga nouns. The research work objectively endeavored to establish the existence of augmentative and dimunitive morphs. The other objective was to identify different morphophonological processes involved in noun structre transformation and the phonological rules that govern the transformation of the individual nouns from internal to external structures. Phonological Optimal theory provided the basis of the theoretical framework for data analysis. This theory is guided by its three features that describe the stages of noun structure transformation. A total of sixty five nouns formed the research data. The data was collected out of topical discussions on Environment, Wildlife, Domestic animals, Tourism, Body parts, Agriculture etc. A total of thirteen groups comprising of ten participants produced one hundred and thirty nouns ten from each group. From special group discussions and focus group interviews nouns with predetermined phonological features were of concern. Nouns that exhibited similar phonological features were dropped and keeping five nouns in each group making a total of sixty five for analysis and presentation. The research findings justified the research questions that indeed there exists correlation between dissimilar morphemic constituents and the noun stems governed by phonological rules that are a typical linguistic characteristic of Kiwanga nouns. The findings of this research will undoubtedly put Kiwanga on the reference map for future comparative linguistic on Bantu language researches. The research sample was Matungu Sub-county in Kakamega County, Kenya.
