Exploring Issues of Mutual Intelligibility in Dialects of Kuteb: A Phonological Perspective

This paper is a phonological investigation, which aims at verifying the degree of mutual intelligibility in dialects of Kuteb language. Kuteb language of Takum, Ussa local government and Yangtu development area of Taraba state Nigeria. Descriptive research design is employed in the study while, Quasi research method is used for data analysis. Purposive sampling technique is utilised in the administration of the instruments for data collection. The instruments include: Interview, questionnaires and elicitation. The research population is based on Kregie & Morgan and, the theoretical frame work are; Lexicostatistics and Labov variationist theory, where by one hundred Swadesh word-list were aligned and analysed by using six (6) phonological processes. The findings demonstrated high degree of cognates (similarities) and therefore concluded that; The dialects of Kuteb have not evolve into separate languages rather, they are mutually intelligible and should therefore be identified as different styles of the same proto language. It recommends that government and stake holders should encourage research on indigenous languages to enhance standardization and revitalisation of indigenous languages in Nigeria.