Do we really have semi-vowels, w [w] and y [j] in Tshivenḓa?

Résumé

Semi-vowels w [w] and y [j] are speech sounds that are difficult to accurately define in most African languages, with special reference to Tshivenḓa. The main purpose of this research study is to differentiate between semi-vowel sounds and gliding sounds in Tshivenḓa. The sounds that are supposed to semi-vowels in full are supposed to be called semi-vowels, semi-consonants. That on its own demonstrates that they can be used or function both as vowels and consonants in any given context but only in English. This is not the case in Tshivenḓa, where these speech sounds can be used both as vowels and as consonants. The researcher used Qualitative Research Methodology to gather and analyse non-numerical data to gain an understanding of individuals’ social reality, including understanding their attitudes, beliefs, and motivation. The researcher found that these two sounds are used as consonants since they are just like that in their nature. The nature of these two speech sounds leans on two places of articulation. hence these sounds look to be special, dual articulation sounds. This is also the character that makes them dominate other speech sounds when they are combined with them. In some cases, when they are articulated, they sound like speech sounds which precede the actual articulation of other speech sounds or word/s because of their palatability. Keywords: Semi-vowels–semi-consonants, Gliding Sounds, Dual Sounds, Palatability

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