The Source Of Language Variation Among Chagga People

ABSTRACT

This research intended to find out the source of language variation among Chagga people.

The study was guided by four specific objectives which are: to investigate the extent to

which language variation exists among the Chagga; to examine the areas (aspects) that

show / indicate language variation among Chagga people; to find out the source of

language variation among the Chagga; and to determine whether Chagga varieties

constitute different languages or varieties (dialects) of the same language.

To meet these objectives, four questions were employed which are: to what extent does

language variation exist among the Chagga? In which aspects do Chagga people differ

when they speak? Why do Chagga people from different areas in Kilimanjaro speak

differently? Do Chagga varieties constitute different languages or dialects of the same

language?

In conducting this research three techniques were used to collect the primary data, which

are sociolinguistic interview (free conversation), reading passage, and the word list. Free

conversation was used in finding out the source of language variation and the extent to

which it exists among the Chagga. Wordlist was used in examining differences in lexicon

and phonology and the reading passage was used in examining differences in syntax

(grammar).

The study has exposed that despite the difficulties that Chagga people from different parts

in Kilimanjaro experience in communicating through their mother tongue, they understand

each other. Further, the study propounded the following as the reasons as to why Chagga

people seem to differ in some vocabulary: geographical location, differences in origin,

lack of common socialization, and the existence of hostility a