African Visual Arts Journal | 27 January 2002
Afro-Linguistics and African Language Structures in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Exploration
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Abstract
Afro-Linguistics is a field that explores language structures within African languages, including those spoken in Tanzania. This study aims to contribute to this field by examining how these linguistic features manifest and interact. This research utilizes a mixed methods approach, integrating ethnographic fieldwork with linguistic analysis. The qualitative component involves in-depth interviews and participant observation, while the quantitative aspect includes structured surveys and standardised language tests. The findings indicate that Tanzanian languages exhibit distinct phonological patterns and syntactic structures, with significant variations observed among different dialects of Swahili spoken across the country. This study reveals nuanced differences in linguistic features within Tanzanian communities, providing empirical evidence to support theoretical understandings of Afro-Linguistics. Future research should consider longitudinal studies and larger-scale comparative analyses to further validate these findings and explore broader regional trends.