Abstract

Language is a living entity that is always in constant change. It develops changes, modernizes and vanishes. In every language, there are items that die out and others develop by using different strategies or devices of word formation, such as derivation, to express the modern needs of a particular language community (Handhal 1998). The purpose of this research is to examine the lexical variations in Sang-ghshi and Sang-gami dialects of the Zaar (Sayawa) language with a view of analysing the areas of convergences and divergences between the two dialects. The study analyses those differences which are prominent in the dialects and also examines if these differences hinder communication among the speakers of these dialects. Therefore, the study adopts an eclectic approach by combining the generative dialectology approach to the study of dialects and a contrastive analysis to the study of lexical items. One hundred questionnaires were administered to native speakers of the two dialects in which one hundred lexical items were written and two columns were provided, one for each dialect. Other methods such as interview and observations were employed in data collection. The result from the study reveals some lexical and phonological differences found in the dialects. It also reveals some reasons for the variations such geographical features like rivers, mountains, migration and general distance. The findings further reveal that Sangh-ghshi dialect is frequently used in organised gathering either religious or political, as a result of their population and it is more acceptable by the people and other neighbouring languages and is more simplified and easy to learn by non Zaar speakers than Sangh-gami dialect. Most traditional songs and Radio programmes or presentations are conveniently presented with Sangh-ghshi dialect.