Lexical and grammatical functions of tone in relation to its background factors : a case of Payira variety of Acoli

Abstract

This study addresses the broad question on the functions of tone with close attention to some of its qualities, that is, the background factors, in distinguishing lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli. The background factors investigated in the study were tone height, tone duration, and advanced tongue root hereafter referred to as ATR. Much as a number of scholars such as (Oyaro, 2020), (Okidi, 2016), (Malandra, 1955), (Swenson, 2015), and (Crazzolara, 1935) had done commendable work in the study of Luo in general and Acoli in particular, limited literature is available on the lexical and grammatical roles of tone with regard to the aforementioned background factors in the Payira variety of Acoli. The general objective of this study was to examine the role of tone when it interacts with qualities like tone duration, tone height, and ATR as background factors in distinguishing lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli. Specifically, the study set out to describe the role of tone when it is affected by tone duration in distinguishing lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli, to describe the lexical and grammatical roles of tone when it interacts with –ATR and +ATR vowels in the Payira variety of Acoli, and to describe the role of tone height in the Payira variety of Acoli in distinguishing lexical and grammatical items. The study employed the descriptive research design; and a mixed-method approach to data collection and analysis: that is, qualitative and quantitative methods. Based on the findings of the study, tone in itself (high or low) was found to be insufficient in accounting for the various realizations of lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli. The underlying mechanism for the said variety of realizations of lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli according to this study were determined to be the inherent aforementioned background factors. And finally, the results attained attest to the fact that tone works in concert with other qualities like tone height, tone duration, +ATR and -ATR in distinguishing lexical and grammatical items in the Payira variety of Acoli. Suggestions are made on that note on areas that require further research which included the significance of stops and pauses in determining meaning, integration of tone and its markings in grammar, and using a bigger sample size to carry out a comprehensive study in Acoli entirely to ensure a dependable conclusion and a unified stand.