Descriptive Study on Swahili Varieties in East Africa

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In this project, we conducted descriptive-linguistic field work in East Africa especially in Tanzania and Kenya, in order to clarify the varieties of Swahili. We have collected "600 basic vocabularies" and described "basic grammar" in some villages. Also we have collected "vocabulary related to marine life" in Swahili Coast Area to confirm the presence or absence of differences in vocabulary by varieties. We have collected some "oral histories" and "oral literature" too as primary references for linguistic study. In previous studies on Swahili Varieties it was said that there are about 24 varieties in Swahili, but from the results of our research, it can be said that we have to reconsider the map of the distribution of Swahili varieties because it has been revealed that in just neighboring villages in the Northern part of Zanzibar Island there are some differences in vocabulary and grammar of their Swahili varieties.