When ‘father’ means ‘husband’ and ‘sister’ means ‘cattle’: lexicalization of kinship terms and address forms in Tanzanian Bantu languages

Abstract

We articulate the lexicalization and extension of the meaning of kinship terms in Bantu languages spoken in Tanzania. We draw linguistic conclusion from proto-forms reconstructed in comparison with the maternal kin terms and affinal address forms in matrilineal and patrilineal societies. We assume that since societies (e.g. Luguru, Mwera, Ndendeule, Swahili) changed from matrilineal to patrilineal, the kin terms and address forms were altered to fit this transformation. Findings indicated that matrilineal societies (e.g. Luguru and Zigula) maintain the prominence of mtumba ‘paternal uncle’ irrespective of the socio-economic and political transformations which undermined the protagonist mother and elevated patriarchal relations. Findings also indicate that patrilineal societies (e.g. Ruuri and Sukuma) coin labels which indicate women as cattle and/or women as sources of children. While research in social sciences show diminishing matrilineal societies (e.g. Mwera and Sambaa), we argue in this paper that linguistically, this phenomenon unravels even societies whose matrilineal features appear to have been eroded by Islam, colonization and ujamaa policies.

Keywords:

• Address forms
• kinship terms
• lexicalization
• matrilineal
• patrilineal
• Tanzanian Bantu

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Jeroen van de Weijer, College of International Studies, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

SUBJECTS:

• Grammar, Syntax & Linguistic Structure
• Historical & Comparative Linguistics
• Linguistic Theory
• Semantics
• Sociolinguistics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Since most of the linguistic materials presented in the paper come from LoT publications and other dictionaries, for economy of space we will avoid repeating the references when providing kinship terms and address forms.

2 We are grateful to the following linguists who supplied kinship terms and forms of address in their mother tongues provided in brackets: Claudio Kisake and Simon Msovela (Kihehe), Loveluck Muro (Machame-Chagga), Luinasia Kombe (Vunjo-Chagga), Mary Charwi and Resani Mnata (Kurya), Micky Mgeja (Sukuma), Stella Kiula (Nilamba), Pendo Mashota (Safwa), and Salehe Kaoneka (Sambaa). Nyakyusa data were given by first author, while Nyambo data-sets were provided by second author.

3 We recorded the terms sa, tsawe and jaji for grandfather in Digo, Jita, Mashami and Ruuri and mbuya or mbuja for both grandmother and grandfather. However, we have not yet traced the etymologies of these kinship terms.

4 Further scrutiny of the kinship term is required because it contains some pragmatic use based on the speakers’ context of marriage.

5 Further investigation of the Bantu to Bantu borrowing is required.

6 Makonde reveals another term nng’anda ‘husband’ that derives from homestead. Its etymology is not completely exhausted.

7 Further research is required for this term.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amani Lusekelo

Amani Lusekelo, Associate Professor of Linguistics – University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), holds a PhD (African Languages and Literature) from University of Botswana. He teaches contact linguistics, linguistic field methods, linguistic morphology, African languages, and syntax. He researches morphosyntax, Bantu noun phrase, lexical borrowing, ethnobotany, and linguistic landscapes. Over the last decade, he supervised to completion ten doctoral students, and currently has six students.

Lea Mpobela

Lea Mpobela, Senior Lecturer of Linguistics – St. Augustine University of Mwanza (Tanzania), holds a PhD (Linguistics) from University of Dar es Salaam. She coordinates graduate course in the university. Currently, she researches morphosyntax of Bantu languages mainly Runyambo. Her publications include properties of lexical categories, sound patterns of Runyambo, and pragmatics.