Machame_language

West Kilimanjaro language

West Kilimanjaro language

Bantu language of Tanzania spoken by the Chaga people

West Kilimanjaro, or West Chaga, is a Bantu language of Tanzania spoken by the Chaga people.

Quick Facts Native to, Region ...

There are several dialects:[1]

  • Rwa (Rwo, Meru, Kirwo), or Meru, from Mount Meru
  • Mashami (Kimashame), or "Hai" (Kihai)
  • Siha
  • Kiwoso (Kibosho including Kindi, Kombo, Mweka)
  • Masama
  • Ng’uni

Phonology

Vowels

More information Front, Central ...

Consonants

More information Labial, Alveolar ...
  • /ɣ/ may also be heard as uvular [ʁ] in free variation.
  • /β/ can also be realized as [ʋ] or [w] among some speakers.
  • [ɟ] is found in loanwords.[3]
  • /h/ only rarely occurs.[2]

References

  1. [1]
    Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online
  2. [2]
    Rugemalira, Josephat Muhozi (2008). Kimashami: Kamusi ya Kimashami-Kiingereza-Kiswahili. Dar es Salaam: Dept. of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, University of Dar es Salaam.
  3. [3]
    Rugemalira, Josephat M.; Phanuel, Benedictor (2012). A grammatical sketch of Kimashami. University of Dar es Salaam.


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