This paper examines segmental variation among Tomosili, Nayahili, and Nanunli, the three major dialects of Dagbanli, a Mabia language spoken in northern of Ghana. Drawing on the framework of Generative Phonology, the study examines sound correspondences and alternations across these dialects, with particular attention to segmental differences based on primary linguistic data. The analysis identifies the phonological features that account for dialectal variation in Dagbanli and highlights the linguistic elements that distinguish the dialects from one another. The findings reveal that vowel alternations, particularly [a]~[ɔ], [a]~[o], and [i]~[u], constitute the primary source of variation among the dialects. In addition, consonantal correspondences such as /z/ → [ʤ] before /v/ and /ɲ/ → [n] outside the environment of /i/ provide further evidence of dialectal differentiation. To explain these variations, the study employs the models of realizational, selectional, and distributional differences. The paper argues that differences in vowel quality represent the chief source of segmental variation in Dagbanli. Furthermore, it demonstrates that dialectal variation is grounded in systematic linguistic evidence rather than speakers’ subjective perceptions of dialect differences.
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Volume 3 | Issue 2 | Year 2026 | Article Id: DSM-V3I2P104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59232/DSM-V3I2P104
Variations in Dagbanli Dialects
Abdul-Razak Inusah
| Received | Revised | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | 28 Aug 2026 | 03 Sep 2026 |
Citation
Abdul-Razak Inusah. “Variations in Dagbanli Dialects.” DS Journal of Multidisciplinary, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 53-65, 2026.
Abstract
Keywords
Dagbanli, Dialects, Variation, Model, Segments, Selectional.
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