PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN THE ADAPTATION OF SELECTED ARABIC LOANWORDS INTO YORÙBÁ

Abstract

There are many assimilated Arabic loanwords in Yorùbá language due to the contact of both languages. Meanwhile, much work has not been done on detailed explanations of phonological processes of Arabic loanwords in Yorùbá language. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to examine the phonological processes involved in Arabic loanwords in Yorùbá. Data were gathered through the review of books, articles in learned journals and English translation of Holy Qur’an including internet searches. Optimality theory is a theoretical framework used in the analysis of the data collected. Also, the source of Arabic language and reasons for loaning Arabic words into Yorùbá language are explained vividly. The similarities and differences of letters between the two languages are not excluded from the study. The comprehensive explanations of deletion, replacement of sounds, insertion, reduplication and assimilation on occurrence of Arabic loanwords in Yorùbá language are highlighted. Findings of the study reveal that where there are similar consonant cluster, one of such consonants will be deleted, and high tone vowel ‘í’ will be inserted to separate the consonant cluster. Furthermore, the findings reveal that consonants occurring in word-final position are deleted when loaning Arabic word into Yorùbá because syllable structure of Yorùbá does not allow the word-final consonant in a word. It is concluded that this paper contributes to scholarship on phonological adaptation by examining various phonological processes involved in loaning Arabic words into Yorùbá language. It is recommended that scholars should collate all assimilated Arabic loanwords in Yorùbá and publish them in a book for prospective researchers.