Reconstruction of Proto-Chagga Forms: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

This study examines the reconstruction of selected Proto-Chagga lexical roots using the comparative method in historical linguistics. Data were collected from seven Chagga languages, including Kimochi, Kiuru, Kivunjo, Kikahe, Kiwoso, Kirombo, and Kimashami. Data were collected from 14 informants including two native speakers of each of the languages. The informants were selected using convenience sampling. The analysis followed a systematic four reconstruction procedure: assembling cognate sets, establishing sound
correspondences, reconstructing proto-forms, and identifying innovation. The fifth step of tabulating the innovations to determine subgroup relationships was done generally for all the words. Reconstruction was guided by two major principles: the majority principle and phonological or conventional wisdom/phonetic plausibility. The findings reveal regular sound correspondences across the varieties and demonstrate how processes such as glide deletion, vowel deletion, vowel lengthening, coalescence, palatalization, and lexical replacement have contributed to the diversification of the languages. The study confirms the historical relationship among the Chagga varieties Which makes them belong to the same proto Chagga ancestral language.