VOWEL SYSTEMS OF KENYAN LANGUAGES

Abstract

This paper is an attempt at a phonological classification of all
Kenyan languages, based on their vowel systems. It attempts to
demonstrate that, by concentrating only on vowels, it is possible to
show similarities as well as differences in the phonological structure
of the different indigenous languages spoken in Kenya. This analysis
will therefore serve as a basis for the description of the vowel
system of any indigenous language spoken in Kenya. Traditionally,
language classification has focused on different typologies to
establish relationships between languages. The analysis in this
paper is a departure from the traditional classification model of
e.g. Welmers (1973: 1-19) where languages are classified according
to language family groups: it demonstrates that by focusing only on
the vowel system, it is possible to derive phonologically-based
classificatory criteria for describing every indigenous Kenyan
language.
The framework used in this analysis is based partly on that of
Generative Phonology proposed by Chomsky and Halle (1968) and
partly on that of Hooper (1976). By combining the two approaches,
the advantage gained is twofold: descriptive adequacy is achieved
while there is, as far as possible, a one-to-one correspondence of
surface forms to underlying ones.